Military Dictatorships in Latin America 1970s and 1980s

General Background In the 1950s, 60s and 70s the Cold War developed around the world In Latin America there had been numerous populist leaders Latin American nations saw some development but not everyone was content Leftist (Socialist/Communist) movements were successful in various places: China, Cuba, Soviet Union

General Background Grave inequalities still existed in Latin America Militaries were often powerful Various left-wing groups/rebel forces grew in Latin American nations in the 1960s This lead to varying degrees of instability and conflict Often these internal conflicts became connected to the broader Cold War

Military Dictatorships There were military dictatorships and/or civil conflicts in: Argentina, Chile, Uraguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras What do we want to understand and know?

Military Dictatorships in Latin America Why and how did these regimes develop? With what consequences and effects? Role of the US? Key Terms: Leftist, Rightist, Dirty War, Desaparecidos, Madres de la Plaza,

Background on Argentina Military ran the country from Juan Peron in exile Economy still in bad shape Unrest grew and Peron allowed to come back in 1973

Background cont. Peron elected president in 1973 He died in 1974 His second wife, Isabel became President Not an effective leader (she was no Eva)

Military Rule Military took over in 1976 Had been growing leftist violence against the government in the 1960s and 70s Military initiates a “Dirty War” to stop leftist uprisings Operation Condor: Alliance of Southern Cone nations (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru) to share intelligence on suspected leftists US supported these efforts: "If you can finish before Congress gets back, the better." Henry Kissinger to Argentine Foreign Minister Guzzetti 1976

Dirty War Repression Killings Los Desaparecidos (the disappeared) Estimates of 10,000- maybe 30,000 people killed by military government Return to civilian rule in 1983

Falklands/Malvinas War

Falklands War In 1982, trying to gain support of people, Argentine government invades Malvinas islands Britain goes to war Britain wins Leads to civilian rule

Aftermath of Dirty War Many military not prosecuted Culture of denial Some have gone to trial (more than other nations) Grandmothers of the Plaza