1930s- 1940s Flashcards
Economy
It runs on exporting grain and meat. Argentina imports most other products. All railroads lead to Buenos Aires, but the rest of the country is not connected. Much of the country suffers from malnutrition and illiteracy. When the Great Depression hits in 1929, since Argentina exports luxury items, they cannot sell their stock and so they cannot import.
Social
More people move to Buenos Aires looking for work but the city because overcrowded. Working conditions get worse because there are more people trying to work. The democratically elected government is blamed and the Concordancia comes to power. This starts a 13 year long period called the Infamous Decade. There is strict rules such as rigged elections and censored newspapers. World War 2 begins. Argentina does not know which side to choose.
More politics
Before the 1943 elections, the Concordancia is overthrown because people are worried they will go against the Axis powers. This happens in a military coup on June 6th, 1943. The US forces Latin America to make economic sanctions against Argentina so Argentina joins the Allied powers in 1945 right before the end of the war.
Secretary of Labor and Welfare
Peron becomes the Secretary of Labor and Welfare in November 1943. He creates paid holidays for workers, retirement benefits, increased wages, commissions formed by representatives of labor and employers to negotiate conditions and pay, and the creation of labor courts too rule in conflicts between workers and employers.
San Juan Earthquake
1944- Peron led the relief efforts, including organizing a fundraising concert to benefit the victims. This brought him national attention and he meets Eva Durante. He is made Vice President and Minister of War.
Peron as minister of war
Increased pay and career opportunities for junior officers, improved technology for armed forces, built factories to produce military equipment, and updated military barracks.
September 18th, 1945
Peron gave a speech called “From Work to Home and from Home to Work.” He talked about social progress and nationalism. The government realized he was a threat so they arrested him on October 9th, 1945.
October 17th, 1945
100,000 people gather to protest his arrest in the Plaza de Maya in front of the Presidential Palace. Peron is released on October 17th, 1945 and launched his candidacy for president in the 1946 elections.
1946 Elections
Peron runs as the Labor Party candidate. He promises social justice, economic independence, to listen to the people and have the government respond. The US ambassador publishes the Blue Book that tired to bran Peron as a fascist and Axis sympathizer. Peron publishes the Blue and White book that claimed his opponents were tools of the Yankees. Peron wins the election 52%-56% of the vote.
