Argentina's Military Dictatorship: 1976-1983

The Oil Crisis of 1973

In 1973, major oil-producing countries decided to increase the price of fuel. The consequences seriously affected the economies of industrial countries, economic growth stagnated, unemployment rose, and inflation soared.

The Coup and the Military Junta

The armed forces overthrew the government of "Isabel" Perón, and the commanders formed a military junta.

The "Process of National Reorganization"

The stated goal was to completely transform Argentine society. They definitely tried to eliminate all organizations or people linked to political protest activities, social and cultural development.

Clandestine Repression and the Disappeared

The government of the dictatorship applied brutal repressive methods and established extreme censorship. Furthermore, in the economic field, it reduced the activity of the national industry and the weight of the actions of social workers in the field.

Methods of Repression

The methods used included kidnapping, torture, detention, and the disappearance of thousands of people. People were thrown into the river from flights.

The "Task Forces"

"Task forces" composed of police and security services kidnapped men and women and transferred them to detention centers. In these illegal sites, victims were tortured.

Censorship

Statement number 19 of the military junta established "indefinite detention" for those who disseminated information related to "subversives" and up to 10 years in prison for spreading messages that "discredited" the armed forces or police. Basically, the dictatorship attacked the right to freedom of expression.

The Beagle Channel Dispute and Papal Mediation

In late 1978, Argentina and Chile were about to face a war because of the route of the international boundary in the Beagle Channel area (passing through southern Tierra del Fuego). This conflict was averted at the last minute by mediation by Pope John Paul II.

The Emergence of the Disappeared and the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo

The figure of the disappeared arose when the families of the missing began to speak out. The "Mothers of Plaza de Mayo" emerged, mothers who were protesting for their missing children. They decided to act together. Their public action took place since 1977 when, as a way to pressure the authorities, they began to make a weekly round of the pyramid around the Plaza de Mayo. To be recognized among them, they decided to use a white handkerchief on their heads with the names of their missing relatives.

The 1978 World Cup and ATC

The military government came up with projects to unite people into supporting their management. These projects highlighted the performance in Argentina's World Cup of '78, and they also built ATC, Argentina's color TV studios.

Human Rights Organizations

Other agencies acted to defend human rights:

• The Ecumenical Movement for Human Rights
• The Permanent Assembly for the Disappeared for Political Reasons
• The Service of Peace and Justice
• The Center for Legal and Social Studies
• Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo

Economic Policies Under the Dictatorship

The central role was played by José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz, the economy minister between 1976 and 1981. He proclaimed the need to reduce government spending and intervention in social and economic life. Therefore, he ordered the lowering of taxes on imported products and removed the supports that protected local industry.

Consequences of Economic Policies

Employment fell in factories. So there was a fall in industrial output and worsening living conditions of workers.

"La Plata Dulce" (Sweet Silver)

Rules overseeing the operations of banks were abolished, and the increase of interest on money deposited in them was authorized. Many dollars entered Argentina in the form of loans, which were designed to obtain quick and effortless gain in banks and other financial channels of the country.

The military also reduced the amounts allocated to health, housing, and education.

Results of the Military's Economic Policies

Among the results of the economic policy of the last dictatorship were the growth of external debt, increased speculation, the fall in output, deteriorating public services, declining wages, and increasing poverty. The agricultural export sectors were benefited, as were some business groups.