Juan Per—n


Juan Domingo Per—n (October 8, 1895-July 1, 1974) was an Argentine soldier
and President of Argentina from 1946-1955 and 1973-1974.

Born in Lobos, Province of Buenos Aires, he entered the Military School aged
16 and following graduation he made good progress through the ranks. He
served in Italy during the late 1930s as a military observer.

In June 1943 as a colonel, he was a significant figure in the military coup
by the GOU (United Officers' Group) against the civilian government of Ram—n
S. Castillo. Initially Under-Secretary for War under Gen. Pedro Ram’rez, he
became Secretary of Labour and Welfare (November 1943) and then Vice
President and Secretary for War under Gen. Edelmiro Farrell (February 1944).

Forced into resignation by opponents within the armed forces on October 9,
1945, Per—n was arrested shortly afterward, but mass demonstrations
organised by the CGT trade union federation forced his release (October 17),
and popular support gained him the presidency with 56% of the vote in the
February 24, 1946 elections.

Despite his alleged fascist tendencies, Per—n pursued social policies aimed
at empowering the working class. He greatly expanded the number of unionized
workers, and helped establish the powerful General Confederation of Labor
(CGT). He called this the "third position", between capitalism and
communism, although he was strongly anti-United States and anti-British.
Per—n also pushed hard to industrialize the country, in 1947 he announced
the first five-year plan to boost newly nationalized industries. His
ideology would be dubbed peronism and became a central influence in
Argentine political parties.

Per—n's new wife, Eva Duarte de Per—n (1919-July 26, 1952) married Per—n on
December 9, 1945), was hugely popular. Known as Evita, she helped her
husband develop support with labour and women's groups. Per—n won
re-election in 1951, but economic problems, high levels of corruption and
conflict with the Catholic Church contributed to his overthrow in an
army-navy coup in September 1955. He went into exile in Paraguay, eventually
settling in Madrid. He married nightclub singer Isabel Martinez de Per—n in 1961.

In Argentina, the 1950s and 1960s were marked by frequent changes of
government and low economic growth and continued social and labor demands.
When the governments failed to revive the economy and suppress escalating
terrorism from groups like the pro-Per—n Montoneros in the late 1960s and
early 1970s, the way was open for Per—n's return. General Alexander Lanusse
had taken power in March 1971 and had declared his intention to restore
constitutional democracy by 1973. From exile Per—n supported left-wing
Peronists and the more active unions.

On March 11, 1973, Argentina held general elections. Although Per—n was
prevented from running, voters elected his stand-in, Hector Campora, as
President. Campora resigned in July 1973, paving the way for new elections.
By now Argentina was in such shambles political leaders were literally
begging Per—n to return. Per—n traveled back to his homeland, and won a
decisive electoral victory. He became President for a second time in October
1973 with his wife Isabel as Vice President.

The new Per—n regime was disrupted by conflict between his leftist and
rightist supporters as Per—n became more right-wing, there was a high level
of terrorist acts. The government resorted to a number of emergency decrees
to try and restore public order. Per—n died on July 1, 1974 with the
problems unresolved and was succeeded by Isabel. She was overthrown on March
24, 1976 and prompty replaced by a military junta.

Per—n is buried in Chacarita Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina.