Perón, Juan Domingo, << pay ROHN, hwahn doh MEENG goh >> (1895-1974), was Argentina’s president from 1946 to 1955, and in 1973 and 1974. He was the country’s most influential and powerful leader during the 1900’s. Perón employed populist policies—that is, policies that help the common people—to reward laborers, industrialists, and the military for their support. He improved working conditions and promoted industrial growth in Argentina.
Perón was born in Lobos, Argentina, on Oct. 8, 1895. He first shared control of the government after a revolution in June 1943. He held three cabinet posts in the government of President Pedro Ramirez. Perón’s reform programs as secretary of labor and social welfare won him the support of labor unions. He also gained strength from the backing of the army, but many military officers distrusted Perón. In October 1945, they forced him to resign and had him arrested. Labor unions held mass protest demonstrations, and Perón was soon released.
Perón was elected president of Argentina in 1946. His second wife, Eva Duarte de Perón, helped him rise to power. As president, Perón sought to make Argentina the leading political, financial, and military power in Latin America. He was one of the first leaders to outline the “third position,” a policy of refusing to support either the Communist or the non-Communist bloc (group of nations). Perón used press censorship and other violations of civil rights to control his opposition.
In 1955, the Roman Catholic Church broke with Perón after he had challenged its authority and legalized divorce and prostitution. In September 1955, the army and navy revolted and forced the president to resign. Perón then went into exile in Spain.
Perón’s followers remained active and gained strength during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. In 1973, Perón returned to Argentina and was elected president again. His third wife, Isabel Martinez de Perón, was elected vice president. Perón died on July 1, 1974, and Isabel succeeded him.
See Argentina (The first military coup) (Argentina under Peron) ; Perón, Eva Duarte de .
