1946, Feb. 24. 2001. The Encyclopedia of World History

The Encyclopedia of World History. 2001.


1946, Feb. 24

Against a united opposition, PERÓN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT. His supporters won a majority in both houses. During the campaign, the U.S. accused Argentina and Perón of collaboration with the Axis powers. Yet Perón's popularity was reaching an all-time high among workers. As minister of labor he had raised workers' wages by nearly 20 percent, and his political style was uniquely suited to a populace disillusioned by decades of corruption and repression. He mixed his populist ethos with a strong nationalist message, producing a style of politics not easily described as right- or left-wing. Once president, Perón nationalized numerous foreign-owned firms, and he was able to use foreign exchange reserves built up during and after the war to increase workers' wages by an additional 20 percent, while at the same time keeping industry profitable.	1

1947, Jan. 1

A five-year plan of economic reform and industrialization went into effect.	2

Sept. 23

Under pressure from Eva Perón and the newly formed Peronist Women's Party, women were granted the vote. This created another forum in which to mobilize support for Perón, as well as further legitimating Eva's role in the regime. Popular particularly among the poor, “Evita” was Peronism's most charismatic symbol.	3


The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.