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Juan Domingo Peron
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He was born Oct. 8, 1895 in Buenos Aires province, Argentina and died July
1, 1974 in Buenos Aires. Peron started his political career as army colonel.
After joining a clique of military plotters and overthrowing the civilian
government of Argentina he became vice president and minister of war in
1945. During this time, which was very difficult for Peron, his mistress
Eva Duarte (better known as Evita) held her famous address from the balcony
of the presidential palace to the nation. A few days later he married Eva
(or Evita). Under Peron Argentina was industrialized. He also adopted a
strong anti-United States and anti-British position.He preached the virtues
of his so called Third Position, between communism and capitalism. Peron
did not structurally revolutionize Argentina, he did reshape the the nation.
Peron showered needed benefits upon the country's industrial workers, in
the form of wage increases and fringe benefits. He nationalized the railroads
and other utilities and financed public works on a large scale. Peron dictated
the political life of the nation by his command of the armed forces. He
severely restricted and in some areas eliminated constitutional liberties.
1955 his governent was overthrown after an army-navy revolt and he fled
to Paraguay. He finally settled in Madrid. 1973 Peron came back to Argentina
and was elected president. While in exile Peron had wooed the left-wing
Peronists and had supported the most belligerent labour unions. Once returned
to power, he formed close links with the armed forces and other previously
opposition right-wing groups. When he died, he left to his widow and successor
as president an untenable situation. Isabel Peron (his last wife and vice-president)
failed to obtain the firm support of any power group, not even the labour
unions. Terrorist activities and political violence increased. On March
24, 1976, the armed forces took over power, removed Isabel Peron from office,
and set up a military junta.
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