History of Argentine Military Coups: 1930-1973

The Infamous Decade and the 1930 Coup

1930 Coup: Overthrown: Irigoyen. Led by: Uriburu. Duration: 13 years. This event established the precedent for military intervention in Argentina.

• Establishment of a police division for the systematic use of torture against political opponents.
• Creation of the National Grain Board, National Meat Board, and the Central Bank of Argentina.
• The Infamous Decade: Characterized by electoral fraud under Presidents Justo, Ortiz, and Castillo.

The 1943 Coup and the Rise of Peronism

1943 Coup: Overthrown: Ramón Castillo. Led by: Arturo Rawson and Pedro Ramírez. Duration: 3 years. Ended in 1946 with democratic elections, leading to the presidency of Juan Domingo Perón. Presidents: Arturo Rawson, Pedro Pablo Ramírez, and Edelmiro Farrell.

• Implementation of import substitution industrialization.
• Dissolution of Congress and closure of the CGT No. 2.
• Restrictions on trade unions and freezing of rural rentals and leases.
• Notable speech at the Universidad Nacional del Litoral.

The 1955 Coup: The Liberating Revolution

1955 Coup: Overthrown: Perón. Led by: Eduardo Lonardi. Duration: 7 years. Ended in 1962. Presidents: Eduardo Lonardi, Pedro Eugenio Aramburu, and Arturo Frondizi.

• Argentina joins the World Bank.
• Censorship of various magazines and newspapers.
• Repeal of the 1949 Constitution and the 1957 reform.

The 1962 Coup and Political Proscription

1962 Coup: Overthrown: Arturo Frondizi. Led by: Raúl Poggi. Duration: 4 years. Ended in 1966. Presidents: José María Guido and Arturo Illia.

• Cancellation of elections and closure of Congress.
• Proscription of Peronism and federal intervention in provinces.

The 1966 Coup: The Argentine Revolution

1966 Coup: Overthrown: Arturo Illia. Led by: Revolutionary Junta. Duration: 7 years. Ended in 1973 with democratic elections, leading to the presidency of Cámpora. Presidents: Juan Carlos Onganía, Roberto M. Levingston, and Alejandro Lanusse.

• Dismissal of the president and provincial governors.
• Dissolution of the National Congress and provincial legislatures.
• Removal of Supreme Court members and dissolution of political parties.
• Prohibition of political acts and repression of protests.
• Formation of the Triple A (Argentine Anticommunist Alliance).

Political Concepts

Concept of State

Movements that break the constitutional order without extreme necessity or justification for violence. These often occur in countries with long-standing instability, encouraging the military to seize power under the guise of solving national problems.

Concept of Revolution

A movement intended to force deep and lasting changes upon a political system.

Meaning of De Facto Government

A de facto government is one that exercises power in practice but is not officially recognized by any rule of law.