Eva Peron and Peronism

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Eva Peron and Peronism

• Juan Peron (1946-55, 1973-74) Argentine military
  officer and president who rose to power during
  the 1940s by befriending labor and promoting
  policies to appeal to the masses.
• Evita Peron formerly Eva Duarte. Actress born
  illegitimately to a poor provincial family. Eva
  moved to the big city of Buenos Aires and
  eventually became the mistress and then wife of
  Juan Peron. Eva or Evita promoted herself as
  the maternal figure to the nation and publicly
  pursued policies aimed at combating poverty and
  helping the nations downtrodden. Because of her
  illegitimate background, Eva was shunned by
  Buenos Airess high society and she took
  satisfaction in persecuting these groups once she
  and Juan became more powerful. Eva tried to run
  as Juans Vice Presidential candidate in 1952 as
  he ran for re-election, but she was blocked by
  powerful forces in the military. Instead, she
  became an authority figure within his
  administration as first lady. Evita was
  diagnosed with uterine cancer (which became a
  justification for stepping down from her campaign
  to became Vice President) in 1951. She
  eventually died from the disease at age 33 in
  1952. The mourning process the nation went
  through is another indication of her popularity
  and the maternal image she cultivated for the
  nation. A campaign ensued to have her canonized
  a saint. For his part, Juan brought in a special
  embalmer who preserved Evas body so that it
  could be permanently displayed at a monument to
  be built in her honor. After Juan Peron was
  driven from power in 1955, the new government
  stole and hid Evitas body for fear it would
  serve as a symbol to Perons supporters.
  Eventually Juans third wife (who did become Vice
  President and then President of Argentina) had
  Evitas body returned to Argentina.
• Peronism the political philosophy of Juan
  Peron. An ever changing ideology, Peronism did
  promote some constant traits such as nationalism
  and strong centralized government. Peronism is
  most notable though for trying to find an
  economic compromise between socialism and
  capitalism (especially in the global context of
  the Cold War).
• Populism Political philosophy that aims to
  protect the masses from elite interests.
  Populism in Latin America rose to a degree in the
  1920s and 1930s, but was briefly interrupted by
  World War II. A more powerful wave of populism
  resurfaced in many areas in the late 1940s. Juan
  Peron is frequently seen as one of these populist
  leaders.
• GOU (United Officers Group) secret alliance
  within the military who conspired against the
  conservative civilian government in the early
  1940s. The GOU led a military coup in 1943 that
  successfully deposed the government of Ramon
  Castillo. That military coup allowed Juan Peron
  to rise to prominence in the nations
  government.
• CGT (General Confederation of Labor) General
  labor union that backed Juan Peron. The CGT
  became a powerful ally to Juan Peron while he
  held office and it eventually became the only
  labor movement recognized by Perons government.
  The CGT continued to promote the policies of
  Peronism after the fall of Juan Peron in 1955.
  Many of its members became involved in the
  violence that led to Argentinas Dirty War in
  the 1970s.