From 1955 to 1973. His policies were predominantly populist and tended to favor the working class, which embraced him and made him the most influential Argentine politician of the 20th century.
His second wife, Eva "Evita" Duarte de Perón, was an important factor in his success and influence.
Quick Fact: Juan Peron
- Notable personalities: Argentine generals and presidents
- Born: October 8, 1895, Robes, Buenos Aires
- Parents: Juana Sosa Toledo, Mario Tomás Peron
- Died: July 1, 1974 in Buenos Aires
- Education: Graduated from the National Military Academy of Argentina
- 配偶:Aurelia Tizón, Eva (Evita) Duarte, Isabel Martínez
Early life
Although he was born near Buenos Aires, he spent much of his youth with his family in the harsh areas of Patagonia as his father tried various occupations, including ranching. At the age of 16, he was admitted to the National Military Academy and immediately joined the army, determined to become a professional soldier.
He served in the infantry, not the cavalry, which served the children of wealthy families. He married his first wife, Aurelia Tizón, in 1929, but she died of uterine cancer in 1937.
Tours of Europe
By the late 1930s, Lieutenant Colonel Peron was an influential officer in the Argentine army. Argentina did not go to war during Peron's lifetime; All of his promotions took place in peacetime, and his rise was due both to his political skills and to his military talents.
In 1938 he traveled to Europe as a military observer, visiting Italy, Spain, France, Germany and other countries. While in Italy, he became fascinated by the style and rhetoric of Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and had deep admiration for Mussolini. He left Europe before the start of World War II and returned to a troubled country.
In power: 1941–1946
The political chaos of the 40s of the 20th century provided the ambitious, charismatic Peron with opportunities for promotion. In 1943, as a colonel, he was one of the masterminds who supported the coup d'état of General Edelmiro Farrell against President Ramón Castillo and was awarded the posts of Minister of War and Minister of Labor.
As Minister of Labor, he carried out liberal reforms and was loved by the Argentine working class. From 1944 to 1945, he served as vice president of Argentina under Farrell. In October 1945, conservative enemies tried to oust him by force, but mass protests led by his new wife, Evita Duarte, forced the military to reinstate him.
While working on relief for the 1944 earthquake, Peron met Eva Duarte, a singer and actress named Evita. They married in October 1945.
Evita became a valuable asset during her husband's first two terms in office. Her compassion and connection with the poor and oppressed in Argentina is unprecedented. She launched important social projects for the poorest Argentines, promoted women's suffrage, and personally distributed cash on the streets to those in need. After her death in 1952, the Pope received thousands of letters asking to elevate her to sainthood.
First presidential term: 1946–1951
Perón was elected president in February 1946 and was an able administrator during his first term. His goals are increased employment and economic growth, international sovereignty and social justice. He nationalized banks and railways, concentrated the grain industry, and raised workers' wages. He set time limits on the number of hours he worked each day and a mandatory Sunday rest policy for most jobs. He paid off his foreign debt and built many public buildings, including schools and hospitals.
Internationally, he announced the "third way" between the great powers of the Cold War and managed to establish good diplomatic relations with the United States and the Soviet Union.
Second term: 1951–1955
Peron's problems began in his second term. Evita died in 1952, the economy stagnated, and the working class began to lose confidence in him. His opponents, mainly conservatives who disapprove of his economic and social policies, became emboldened. After trying to legalize prostitution and divorce, he was excommunicated.
When he held rallies to protest the movement against him, opponents of the military staged a coup d'état, which included the bombing of Plaza de Mayo, the central square of Buenos Aires, by the Argentine Air Force and Navy, killing nearly 400 people. On September 16 and September 19, 1955, military leaders seized power in Córdoba and ousted Peron.
Exile: 1955–1973
Peron spent the next 18 years in exile mainly in Venezuela and Spain. Although the new government made any support of Perón illegal (including even saying his name in public), he maintained great influence over Argentine politics, and candidates he supported frequently won elections. Many politicians came to see him, and he welcomed them one by one.
He managed to convince both liberals and conservatives that he was their best bet, and by 1973, millions were demanding his return.
Return to Power and Death: 1973–1974
In 1973, Héctor Cámpora, a stand-in for Perón, was elected president. When Peron arrived from Spain on June 20, more than 3 million people poured into the airport to welcome him back. However, this turned to tragedy, killing at least 13 people when the right-wing Peronists opened fire on the left-wing Peronists. When Cámpora resigned, Perón was easily elected, but the Peronists on the right and left fought openly for Power for power.
A cunning politician, he once managed to suppress violence, but died of a heart attack on July 1, 1974, just a year after returning to power.
heritage
It is impossible to exaggerate Peron's legacy in Argentina. In terms of influence, he is on par with leaders such as Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez. His political brand even had its own name: Peronism. Peronism still exists in Argentina as a legitimate political philosophy, which blends nationalism, international political independence, and strong government. Cristina Kirchner, who served as president from 2007 to 2015, is a member of the Justice Party, a branch of Peronism.
Like every other political leader, Peron has experienced ups and downs, leaving behind a complex legacy. On the plus side, some of his achievements are impressive: he increased the basic rights of workers, greatly improved infrastructure (especially in electricity), and modernized the economy. During the Cold War, he was a seasoned politician who maintained good relations with both East and West.
An example of Peron's political skill is his relationship with Argentine Jews. Peron closed the door to Jewish immigration during and after World War II. From time to time, however, he has made magnanimous public gestures, such as allowing a boatload of Holocaust survivors to enter Argentina. His gestures were well reported, but never changed his policy.
However, he also has critics. The economy eventually stagnated under his rule, especially in agriculture. He doubled the size of the state bureaucracy, putting further pressure on the national economy. He has authoritarian tendencies and fights the opposition from the left or the right whenever it suits him. During his exile, his promises to liberals and conservatives created hope for his return, but he was unable to deliver on them.
He married for the third time in 1961 and began his last term with his wife Isabel Martínez de Perón as vice president, which had disastrous consequences after his death to take over as president. Her incompetence prompted the Argentine general to seize power, beginning the bloodshed and repression of the so-called Dirty War.