Argentina: A Historical Overview of Political and Economic Turmoil

In the late 20th century, Argentina was a preferred destination for poor European immigrants seeking a prosperous future.

Argentina was one of the first places to declare independence from Spain after the deposition of the Spanish king by Napoleon in 1808, known as the May Revolution culminating on May 25, 1810.

The official declaration of independence took place in Tucumán on July 9, 1816, but the conflict with the Spanish continued until 1818. There was a dispute over the type of government, centralized in Buenos Aires or decentralized with provincial autonomy, leading to civil wars.

Juan Manuel de Rosas established a federalist system with Buenos Aires as the center in the 1830s, ruling Argentina for nearly 20 years with authoritarianism and state terrorism, using a security force called 'La Mazorca.' His rule was characterized by the caudillo image.

From 1852 to 1916, Argentina was governed by a liberal oligarchy that controlled elections through fraud and corruption, despite theoretically adopting a constitution similar to the US. The period saw rapid growth in foreign trade.

During the late 19th century, Argentina experienced significant economic growth as profits were invested in domestic developments such as roads, bridges, ports, and public education. New agricultural methods improved livestock breeding, introduced new crop lines, and sheep farming. Foreign capital led to the development of railways, telephones, telegraphs, gas, electric power, refrigerated steamships, modern meat packaging, and sanitation. Buenos Aires became a bustling port city, transitioning from a colonial outpost to a modern European-style capital with wide boulevards and impressive buildings.

The economic boom in Argentina also attracted a massive wave of European migration, including Spaniards, Italians, Jews, Russians, and others. This influx of immigrants forever changed the demographic makeup of the country, contributing to its cultural diversity and economic growth.

During this period, the Argentine state expanded its power into Patagonia through what Argentinians refer to as the 'Conquest of the Desert.' Military forces, led by Julio Roca, future president, killed over 1000 indigenous Mapuches and displaced 15,000 more from their traditional lands. This allowed white settlers to populate the region, transforming it into a significant agricultural hub.

In the early 20th century, Argentina witnessed the rise of mass politics as urban middle-class and working-class sectors challenged the political dominance of the agricultural oligarchy. Immigration, mainly from Southern Europe, fueled this shift, leading to the emergence of new political parties and reforms. The Universal suffrage by secret ballot was approved, and socialist, syndicalist, and anarchist unions gained prominence.

The Great Depression in the 1930s severely impacted Argentina, causing economic dislocation due to decreased demand and commodity prices. This instability culminated in a military coup in 1930 led by José Félix Uriburu, marking the beginning of a series of military takeovers known as the 'Infamous Decade.' Various authoritarian groups, including the old oligarchy, vied for power during this tumultuous period.

The events of World War II brought about a shift in Argentina's political landscape. Influenced by officers trained in Germany, the Argentine army supported an alliance with the Axis powers. Some high-ranking officers, inspired by Italian fascism, pushed for authoritarian rule. This period marked a significant change in the power dynamics within the country.

In 1943, a group of officers, including the little-known Colonel Juan Domingo Perón, seized power in Argentina, establishing a nationalist government. Perón, as Minister of Labor, implemented pro-worker policies such as revoking anti-labor laws, expanding social benefits like pensions and paid vacations, and enacting legislation for minimum wages and maximum working hours. These actions made him extremely popular among the working class and led to a significant increase in his labor support.

On October 17, 1945, a legendary day for Peronists, massive crowds of unions and workers gathered at Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires to support Juan Domingo Perón. The military, releasing Perón from imprisonment, witnessed his iconic appearance on the balcony of the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, where he signaled victory to the cheering crowds. This event marked the first time the working class directly placed someone in power, signaling the beginning of the Peronist era.

After being elected president, Juan Domingo Perón established a corporatist system where unions had to align under the General Confederation of Labor, which he controlled. His wife, Eva Duarte de Perón, known as Evita, played a crucial role as an intermediary between Perón and the people. Evita's humble upbringing and rapid political rise inspired millions of Argentinians. While she actively distributed social welfare funds to the working class and the poor, the Perón regime also displayed authoritarian tendencies by suppressing dissenting voices and opposition.

From 1946 to 1949, the Peronist project led to economic growth and improved living standards for Argentinians. However, industrialization did not sustain economic growth, leading to financial constraints by 1950. The regime faced difficulties supporting inefficient state industries and social welfare programs. The unexpected death of Evita in 1952 further exacerbated economic woes. As economic conditions deteriorated, key support for Perón began to erode, culminating in a military coup in 1955 and Perón's exile to Spain.

On September 16, 1955, the Catholic Church and factions of the military orchestrated a military coup against Juan Domingo Perón, led by General Eduardo Lonardi. The coup, known as the Revolución Libertadora, resulted in the bombing of Plaza de Mayo, causing civilian casualties and forcing Perón into exile in Spain. The new regime attempted to 'de-Peronize' Argentine society but ultimately failed to fully eradicate Peronist influences.

Between 1955 and 1973, Argentina experienced significant political and economic turmoil marked by coups, riots, assassinations, and the rise of left-wing guerrillas. This period saw the return of Perón to manage the chaos, which was met with violence as factions within the Peronist movement clashed, resulting in the death of at least 13 people and hundreds injured.

After the unexpected death of Perón, his inexperienced and unpopular wife, Isabelita, took over the government. The military ousted her on March 24, 1976, leading to a new military junta that initiated the 'National Reorganization Process.' This period, known as the 'Dirty War,' involved the killing or disappearance of between 10,000 and 30,000 people, with widespread torture and atrocities committed.

The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group of brave women, protested publicly in Buenos Aires, demanding information about their disappeared children. Despite facing repression and disappearances themselves, they persisted in their weekly marches, becoming a crucial voice against human rights abuses during the military dictatorship.

The military junta's economic policies led to stagnation, high inflation, and economic decline. Seeking to bolster support, President Galtieri's decision to invade the Falkland Islands in 1982 backfired, resulting in a humiliating defeat that further undermined the dictatorship's legitimacy and paved the way for a transition to democracy.

President Raúl Alfonsín, the first non-Peronist to win a freely contested election in Argentine history, led the transition to democracy in 1982. Despite facing challenges in holding the military accountable for human rights abuses, his presidency marked a pivotal moment in Argentina's path towards democracy.

In June 1989, Argentina faced a severe economic crisis under President Alfonsín. The inflation rate skyrocketed to 4900%, the GDP contracted, real wages fell, and the external debt reached a record of 63,314 million dollars. This led to Alfonsín resigning as president.

Carlos Menem, a former governor of La Rioja province, assumed the presidency in Argentina. Initially, Menem, a Peronist, promised to defend the working class but shifted to neoliberal economic policies favoring foreign capital, free trade, and privatization. While his policies initially brought economic stability and growth, they ultimately led to mass unemployment and impoverishment.

In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa, leader of the Radicals, became president with promises to end political corruption and improve the economy. However, his presidency saw a decline in economic productivity, increased poverty rates, and a fixed exchange rate that made Argentine agricultural products uncompetitive.

Néstor Kirchner, who took office in 2003, focused on alleviating economic difficulties for Argentinians and meeting financial obligations. By abandoning the fixed exchange rate and prioritizing social welfare spending, Kirchner stabilized the economy. He also reopened trials against military officials accused of abuses during the dictatorship, addressing Argentina's past.

Néstor Kirchner tragically passed away from a heart attack in October 2010. Following this, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner easily won reelection in 2011 and continued the economic policies that defined Kirchnerism. However, her second term was marred by increasing inflationary pressures, a global economic recession affecting Argentine commodity prices, and social unrest as the economy stagnated.

When faced with economic stagnation and social discontent, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner chose to ignore and suppress unfavorable economic indicators. Additionally, corruption scandals linked to her administration persisted, and her political rivals thwarted her attempt to amend the constitution for reelection in 2015.

In the 2015 election, Argentina elected Mauricio Macri, a prominent businessman and former mayor of Buenos Aires. Despite initial economic growth, Macri struggled with inflation, GDP decline, and unfulfilled promises, leading to his defeat. Subsequently, Alberto Fernández, another Peronist known for pragmatism, assumed the presidency with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as his vice president.

Kobe shifted his focus to reviving the economy, initially implementing swift measures to contain the virus and its spread. While initially praised, prolonged restrictions led to economic costs, declining approval ratings, and a resurgence of Peronism in 2024. Uncertainty looms over Argentina's future, with experts anticipating growth post-virus control, but the timing remains uncertain.