Thee Indian Population Was Nomadic and Small

Chapter 3 Introduction page 69

Thee Indian population was nomadic and small.

In colonial times Argentina’s greatest asset was its fertile farm land.

A dynamic economy did not emerge during the colonial era.

When Buenos Aires was made a port of entry for Spanish goods power began to shift from the northwest to the southern coast.

General Jose de San Martin defeated the Spanish troops in 1820.

Following independence the landed gentry were very content with local conditions

Chapter 3 Argentina: Struggle for Nationhood

1. The decades after independence saw a battle over the country's economy. One faction was the "Unitarians" who were from the Buenos Aires region. They wanted to nationalize Buenos Aires, strip it of its autonomy then make it into a base for international commerce. There were also two groups called "Federalists" where one wanted provincial autonomy and place interprovincial levies, while the other opposed the nationalization of Buenos Aires and wanted free trade.

2. Juan Manuel de Rosas ended the conflict when he won the governorship of Buenos Aires in 1829. He endorsed policies for ranch owners which gave him control of the gauchos. He extended the power of Buenos Aires throughout Argentina. He terrorized all who opposed him, including those who did not wear the official color of red. His foreign policy led to his demise when Gen. Justo Jose de Urquiza, with the help of Brazil and Uruguay, defeated Rosas in 1852.

3. Urquiza called a constitutional convention, which brought a U.S. style government to Argentina, Buenos Aires refused to join the new government and after a brief Civil War, Buenos Aires surrendered. Two years later Buenos Aires revolted and their leader, Bartolome Mitre, gained control of Argentina.

4. After Mitre's term, Domingo Sarmiento gained office. He wanted to bring a U.S. style public education system to Argentina and was the president during the Paraguayan War in which Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay fought Paraguay over Paraguay claim that they controlled all of the Parana River Basin.

5. Nicolas Avellaneda gained the last territorial conquest for Argentina during the Indian Wars. In this war, Argentine general Julio Roca subdued or exterminated the Indian bands that were raiding the provinces south and west of Buenos Aires.

Overview: Economic Growth and Social Change

Pages 71-77

1. Argentina’s economy was based entirely on exporting farm products to the North Atlantic industrial world. There were two factors missing in the economy 1. Labor 2. Capital. Two important technological development help the economy, these were: the steamboat and the refrigeration process on the boat.

2. Argentina lacked resources to finance an infrastructure. Britain invested heavily in railroads, packing houses docks and public utilities. (74, pp1). These investments were vital to the Argintine economy.

2. Argentina lacked a Native American population and had to encourage European immigration and guest workers. (P72, pp 3 & P73, pp1) or adapt slavery. Immigration regulations were relaxed and northern Europeans were encouraged to come to Argentina. Mainly Italians and Spanish came as immigrants or as guest workers.

3. With the influx of Southern Europeans, Argentineans suffered an identity crisis (P 72 , pp3) A. There was tension between locals and immigrants. B. The Europeans acted as colonials with their communities and clubs. C. The unequal distribution of wealth which created social and political tensions.

4. Although there was a disparity in distribution of wealth Argentina never developed a peasantry. (page 75, p 3) The immigrants first went to the farms but gradually moved to the urban centers. Argentina’s economy was a hostage to international currency movements as it was not a gold producer. There was not a demand for land reform (p 76)

5. Labor unrest and unionization 1. Most immigrants retained their Italian or Spanish citizenship and could not vote 2. European Socialism failed to attract immigrant workers. 3. Workers did listen to anarchists who began to organize. The anarchists were sent back to Europe. 4. Workers refused to support the governments efforts to incorporate into a government-dominated system of labor relations.

5. The Anarchists demonstrated but were crushed by the police. 6. Congress passed the “Social Defense Law” allowing easy arrest and prosecution of labor organizers.

7. Anarchism was dead but the urban workers continued to protest..

8. After purging the anarchist in 1910, labor emerged as a key factor in Argentine society until the 1950s through strikes and worker agitation. (77-pp-2)

Ch. 3--Rhythms of Popular Culture:

1. The Argentines did not have a strong sense of nationality, because their nation was ill-defined from the flood of immigrants, mainly concentrated in Buenos Aires, which had accentuated the contrast between the densely settled capital city and the cattle-oriented society of the less populated interior.

2. Nationalist writers, such as Ricardo Rojas, challenged this in the early 20th century. They pointed to the Indian and the soil as the true origins of Argentine nationality.

3. With Italian influences, the capital city began developing its own culture with a Spanish and Italian dialect, called Lunfardo, which was strictly a working-class phenomenon.

4. Argentina's national dance, the Tango, which traced its origin to the late 19th century, was adopted by the Italian immigrants. Although it was disliked by the elite at first, with a softer version, it became more popular throughout Europe and therefore entered into a golden age.

5. This golden age ended in the 1950's, and although it wasn't as popular, it still survived in Argentina, and had a brief popularity in the U.S. and Europe in the 1980's and -90's.

The Military Turns Back the Clock

1.) The liberals who came to power in 1852 believed that a professional army was indispensable for Argentina’s development. The Argentines wanted a well trained military to crush provincial caudillos and to provide the order necessary for economic growth. 2.) The increased professionalization of the military led to a shift in the outlook of the

Argentine officer corps. There was a change in criteria for promotion by 1910, now it became seniority and mastery of the new technology, rather than political favoritism.

3.) The emphasis on merit opened military careers to aspiring sons of the middle class.

This soon included sons of immigrants, especially from Italy

4.) Politics in Argentina was taking a unique path in Latin America. There were several causes. In contrast to Brazil, whose government had ties with Nazi Germany decided to cast its lot with the United Stated in 1942, Argentina wanted to preserve its neutrality.

This reflected a strong sentiment among the Argentine elite, both civilian and military, that their country had most to gain by with holding its political and military allegiance in the world conflict.

5.) The actors in Argentine politics turned out to be the military and labor. The military had its own institutional base, but the large and growing urban working class lacked effective political representation.

Section, Peronism And Peron

1) Peron made urban workers his most important political ally, flanked by industrialists and armed forces. He encouraged strikes which the government would settle in favor of the workers.

2) Peron reduced foreign influence in the economy. He nationalized foreign industries such as the railroads and ports.

3) Peron attempted to win over the military by promoting his political favorites.

4) Divorce was legalized; parochial schools were placed under government control. Peron and his entire cabinet excommunicated.

5) Military tells Peron: Resign or face civil war.

Main Points Assignment – “The Military Stewardship” Pg. 89 1. Peron’s sudden departure left a power vacuum. 2. Military hard-liners were intent on eliminating Peronism. 3. The lack of legitimacy of the military governments made it difficult to enact meaningful economic policy. 4. The divided Radicals fought each other until the UCRI won the presidency.