1. Juan Perón An Argentine Icon

2. Early Career Entered military at 16 Entered military at 16 Served as military observer in Europe in 1938 Served as military observer in Europe in 1938 Became familiar with Fascist Italy and Benito Mussolini Became familiar with Fascist Italy and Benito Mussolini Colonel Perón a participant in a military coup d’état in 1943 Colonel Perón a participant in a military coup d’état in 1943 Becomes Sec. of Labor where he develops alliances with socialists and labor unions Becomes Sec. of Labor where he develops alliances with socialists and labor unions Promotes labor laws to strengthen unions – popular with workers Promotes labor laws to strengthen unions – popular with workers

3. Rising Popularity Fund raising efforts after major earthquake led to public approval and introduction to second wife, Eva Duarte Fund raising efforts after major earthquake led to public approval and introduction to second wife, Eva Duarte Rivalry among military officers and Perón (Vice Pres. at the time) led to arrest and brief imprisonment Rivalry among military officers and Perón (Vice Pres. at the time) led to arrest and brief imprisonment Mass protests led by Eva won his freedom Mass protests led by Eva won his freedom They were married days after release They were married days after release

4. Wedding to Evita in 1945 Peron on cover of Labor Union newsletter - 1945

5. 1 st Term – 1946-1952 Won with huge support of organized labor Won with huge support of organized labor Would have permanent opposition of big business Would have permanent opposition of big business 2 main goals 2 main goals Social justice Social justice Economic independence Economic independence Carefully avoided aligning with U.S. or U.S.S.R. in early Cold War Carefully avoided aligning with U.S. or U.S.S.R. in early Cold War

6. Economic Nationalized banks, railroads, shipping, etc. owned by foreign nations Nationalized banks, railroads, shipping, etc. owned by foreign nations Paid off foreign debts Paid off foreign debts National control of universities, public utilities, transportation, major agricultural export sectors National control of universities, public utilities, transportation, major agricultural export sectors Saw some major advances before inflation struck in 1950s. Saw some major advances before inflation struck in 1950s. Ironically, Marshall Plan that helped Europe undermined Argentine markets that had opened after the war Ironically, Marshall Plan that helped Europe undermined Argentine markets that had opened after the war

7. Second Term 1952-1955 Faced economic troubles including high trade deficits with foreign investors Faced economic troubles including high trade deficits with foreign investors Highest standard of living in Latin America led foreign manufacturers, especially auto makers, to build plants in Argentina Highest standard of living in Latin America led foreign manufacturers, especially auto makers, to build plants in Argentina Many saw Perón as unpatriotic for allowing so much foreign investment Many saw Perón as unpatriotic for allowing so much foreign investment

8. Controversial Reforms Legalized divorce and prostitution Legalized divorce and prostitution Drew anger of conservative elements Drew anger of conservative elements Pope Pius XII excommunicated Perón from Catholic Church Pope Pius XII excommunicated Perón from Catholic Church After death of Evita, he reportedly had relationship with 13-year-old girl – did not deny it After death of Evita, he reportedly had relationship with 13-year-old girl – did not deny it Regime’s control of media suppressed critics Regime’s control of media suppressed critics Charges that he was a dictator grew Charges that he was a dictator grew A coup attempt drove him to exile in Spain and resulted in the death of over 800 civilians A coup attempt drove him to exile in Spain and resulted in the death of over 800 civilians

9. Scene in the Plaza de Mayo following a failed coup attempt against Perón, June 16, 1955. He was deposed three months later.

10. Repression of Opposition Upper class students vocal in opposition to Peronists – resulted in mass firing of university professors Upper class students vocal in opposition to Peronists – resulted in mass firing of university professors “Long Live Cancer” – student chant – referring to Eva’s battle with cervical cancer “Long Live Cancer” – student chant – referring to Eva’s battle with cervical cancer Meat Packer Union leader Cipriano Reyes tortured in prison after organizing an anti-Perón strike Meat Packer Union leader Cipriano Reyes tortured in prison after organizing an anti-Perón strike Was implicated in plot to kill Perón Was implicated in plot to kill Perón Torture by police national police became common Torture by police national police became common

11. Media Control Perón preferred control of media over torturing opposition Perón preferred control of media over torturing opposition Intimidation of press Intimidation of press 110 publications closed down during 40s alone 110 publications closed down during 40s alone Caused remaining outlets to self-censor Caused remaining outlets to self-censor Perón imprisoned or exiled numerous artists and intellectuals Perón imprisoned or exiled numerous artists and intellectuals Including actors, film makers, musicians who ran afoul of Perón Including actors, film makers, musicians who ran afoul of Perón

12. Protection of Nazi War Criminals Nazis, collaborators permitted to enter Argentina to escape prosecution Nazis, collaborators permitted to enter Argentina to escape prosecution Including Josef Mengele (Auschwitz “doctor,”) Adolf Eichmann (architect of Holocaust), Klaus Barbie (butcher of Lyon – Gestapo) Including Josef Mengele (Auschwitz “doctor,”) Adolf Eichmann (architect of Holocaust), Klaus Barbie (butcher of Lyon – Gestapo) Secret routing of Nazis to Argentina called the “ratline” Secret routing of Nazis to Argentina called the “ratline” Nazi hunters focused on Argentina for years Nazi hunters focused on Argentina for years Perón an admirer of Fascist Italy and Spain Perón an admirer of Fascist Italy and Spain

13. Jews and Germans in Argentina Perón not anti-Semitic Perón not anti-Semitic Close advisors included many Jews including many who had fled from Nazi dominated Europe Close advisors included many Jews including many who had fled from Nazi dominated Europe Argentina first Latin American country to recognize new state of Israel Argentina first Latin American country to recognize new state of Israel Secured trade deals and visits from prominent Israeli leaders Secured trade deals and visits from prominent Israeli leaders Accepted more Jewish immigrants than any other Latin American country Accepted more Jewish immigrants than any other Latin American country Perón had sympathized with Axis during war but believed in the rights of the Jews Perón had sympathized with Axis during war but believed in the rights of the Jews

14. Golda Meir of Israel talks with Evita Perón on Meir's visit to Argentina, 1951

15. Germans in Argentina German Argentine community 3 rd largest in the country German Argentine community 3 rd largest in the country Perón generally disliked “rigid” German culture Perón generally disliked “rigid” German culture He allowed Nazi criminals into Argentina in hopes of acquiring advanced German technology developed during the war He allowed Nazi criminals into Argentina in hopes of acquiring advanced German technology developed during the war

16. Peronist Persistence During Perón’s exile, political supporters continued to keep his chances of return alive During Perón’s exile, political supporters continued to keep his chances of return alive Divisions between Left and Right, some of it violent Divisions between Left and Right, some of it violent Perón returned during presidency of a supporter whose unpopularity led to resignation and a new election Perón returned during presidency of a supporter whose unpopularity led to resignation and a new election Perón won a third term that was marred by left- right conflict Perón won a third term that was marred by left- right conflict He died while in office after several major health issues, ultimately by heart attack He died while in office after several major health issues, ultimately by heart attack