1912–1955
Democracy expands, and Perón
Universal suffrage arrives, and the age of workers and the masses begins. Peronism, the core of Argentine politics, is born.
The road to universal suffrage
The Sáenz Peña Law of 1912 established universal, secret and compulsory male suffrage. Politics opened from a privileged few toward a broader public, and in 1916 Hipólito Yrigoyen (Radical Party) became the first president chosen by election.
But in 1930 the military overthrew the government in a coup, and Argentina entered an unstable era of alternating democracy and military intervention.
Perón and Eva
Juan Perón, who became president in 1946, made workers' rights and social welfare central to the state through “Peronism.” His wife Eva (Evita) stood with the poor and with women and won immense devotion; women's suffrage was achieved in 1947.
At the same time, Peronism produced both fervent support and fierce opposition, deeply dividing Argentine society to this day. Perón was ousted in 1955 by a military coup (the “Liberating Revolution”).
Key terms
- Sáenz Peña Law (1912)
- Established universal, secret, compulsory male suffrage.
- Yrigoyen
- First president chosen by election, in 1916 (Radical Party).
- Perón and Eva / Peronism
- A worker-based current that still divides society.
More people could vote, and a leader named Perón appeared.
In 1912, all men could vote (women from 1947). President Perón and his wife Eva were hugely popular as friends of working people. But people who loved Perón and those who disliked him are still divided today.
Key terms
- Suffrage
- Choosing representatives by voting.
- Perón and Eva
- A presidential couple popular with workers.