Década Infame en Argentina (1930-1943)

• The "Infamous Decade" in Argentina (1930-1943) began with a military coup on September 6, 1930, overthrowing President Hipólito Yrigoyen.
• This coup marked the return of electoral fraud, corruption, and shady deals in Argentine politics.
• During this time, there was a growing public distrust in democracy and its institutions, mirroring the sentiment of some political and military sectors in Europe.
• These groups doubted the democratic system's ability to maintain order and contain society.

Electoral Irregularities

• The elections of 1931 and 1937 were marred by irregularities.
• Radicals abstained from participating in the 1931 elections because their candidates were banned.
• In 1937, election results were altered in the mail.
• The era was marked by so much electoral corruption that it was said that the electoral law was jorobado, meaning deformed or corrupted.

Presidents During the Infamous Decade

• Gral. José Félix Uriburu (1930-1932)
• Gral. Agustín P. Justo (1931-1938)
• Roberto M. Ortiz (1938-1940)
• Ramón S. Castillo (1940-1943)
• The succession of civil and military governments after 1930 led to a difficult period in Argentina's history, marked by conflict and tension.

Uriburu's Proclamation

• General Uriburu's proclamation, written by poet Leopoldo Lugones, conveyed the authoritarian sentiment of the coup.
• It stated that the army and navy were responding to the unanimous call of the people.
• It demanded the immediate abandonment of their posts by those who had betrayed the people's trust.
• It claimed the armed forces aimed to defend personal decorum and would not tolerate attempts to save a government rejected by public opinion.

Political Maneuvering

• After the 1930 coup, Uriburu governed for less than two full years.
• The period was difficult due to the economic crisis in the United States (1929).
• Uriburu aimed to implement a corporatist project, including reforms to the National Constitution, but faced resistance.
• This led him to seek an electoral exit, resulting in the formation of the Concordancia (a coalition of conservatives, independent socialists, dissenting radicals, and others).
• The Concordancia won the 1932 elections through electoral fraud, known as "patriotic fraud".
• This ensured that the government would not fall into the hands of the "radical mob".

The Justo Government

• Agustín P. Justo (President) and Julio A. Roca (Vice President) represented conservative interests and brought back groups who had been in power before 1916.
• The government took important economic measures, including signing the Roca-Runciman Pact.
• The State became more active and interventionist in the economy to regulate it during the crisis.
• Roberto M. Ortiz became president in 1938 through systematic "patriotic fraud," with Ramón S. Castillo as vice president.

Attempts at Political Change and Neutrality

• Ortiz tried to change the political practices of the time by addressing electoral corruption in the provinces.
• However, his presidency was troubled by his declining health (diabetes) and the international situation (World War II).
• Argentina adopted a policy of neutrality during the war, but society was divided on the issue.
• Some, like landowners and merchants involved in foreign trade, favored the Allies.
• Others, including nationalists and military figures, were drawn to the Axis powers, viewing England and the United States as imperialist countries.

The End of Ortiz's Presidency and Castillo's Rule

• In 1942, Ortiz resigned due to his deteriorating health, and Vice President Castillo took over.
• Castillo resumed fraudulent practices and supported Robustiano Patrón Costas, a conservative landowner from Salta, as his successor.
• This candidacy was opposed by nationalist sectors of the military.
• Social unrest, growing union activity, and the potential spread of leftist ideologies led them to prepare a coup.

The GOU and the 1943 Coup

• The GOU (United Officers Group), a lodge within the military, carried out the coup on June 4, 1943.
• Initial efforts of the GOU focused on recruitment.
• Perón valued the incorporation of young officers.
• Important themes were mentioned such as the need to prevent a communist uprising, the fear of involvement in the war due to external pressure, the solidarity of the officer corps, and resentment towards political intrusion in the army.
• The GOU insisted on their lack of personal ambition, claiming their only interest was the well-being of the Army and the Nation.

The End of the Agro-Export Model

• The Crisis of 1929 impacted Argentina's economy and society.
• The price of raw materials fell, economic activity was paralyzed, leading to unemployment and poverty.
• England reduced meat purchases from Argentina in favor of its colonies and ex-colonies, through the Ottawa Conference in 1932.
• Argentina negotiated the Roca-Runciman Pact to secure commercial agreements.

The Roca-Runciman Pact

• England committed to maintaining its quota of chilled meat purchases.
• Argentina was required to spend all export earnings on British products.
• Not reduce railroad tariffs, maintain duty-free status for some products like coal from England, and provide favorable treatment to British companies and meatpacking plants.
• The Argentine Transportation Corporation was created, giving control of Buenos Aires' urban transport system to British hands.

The Debate Over the Pact

• Some defended the Pact as the only way out of the crisis.
• Others saw it as blatant colonialism.
• Senator Lisandro de la Torre denounced the Pact for immorality and fraud, accusing the Anglo meatpacking plant of tax evasion.
• The government silenced De la Torre through violence, with the assassination of his colleague Enzo Bordabehere.

Industrialization by Import Substitution

• Argentina had primarily developed its primary economic sector through raw material exports.
• It promoted industrialization whenever they were short on manufactured imports.
• The crisis of the 1930s led European countries to implement protectionist measures.
• This suspended imports and promoted the development of domestic industries in Argentina to produce goods that were not arriving from other countries.
• Local industries (food, textiles) developed, but not basic industries, petrochemicals, and steel.
• Capital came from landowners looking to diversify their investments and foreign capital from the United States, Germany, France, and England.
• Industrialization was concentrated in Buenos Aires, Greater Buenos Aires, coastal urban centers, and Córdoba, declining in other regions.
• Rural workers lost employment due to the reorganization of the agro-export sector.

Social Hardships and Labor Movements

• This period was characterized by great difficulties for the population.
• The crisis became clear through unemployment, low wages, forced migrations, and reduced quality of life.
• Tango music reflected the reality of the time.
• Living costs increased while workers' salaries decreased.
• The majority of workers' income was spent on food and housing.
• Many rural Argentinians migrated to cities in search of work.
• Newly arrived workers lacked union experience and politics.
• The 1930 coup was a major setback for the working class.
• Industrial sectors retaliated against workers, exploiting the lack of government protection.
• Labor unions were weakened by the coup but still had influence in the country
• The COA, USA, and FORA were precursors to the CGT labor union.
• Argentina slowly emerged from the crisis starting in 1935.

The Role of Women

• Women had entered the workforce since the late 19th century, but their conditions were precarious.
• Women worked in meatpacking plants, tanneries, workshops, and at home, making shirts or bridal headwear, among other activities.
• Women were systematically excluded from historical narratives, but many fought for their rights in various fields.
• This led to political (access to vote), cultural (access to higher education), and labor (equal rights and salaries) movements.
• Some women belonged to socialist or anarchist movements and fought for civil, political, and social rights.
• Significant economic and social consequences such as low salaries doubled the burden on women in the thirties.
• They were forced out of the official labor market and turned to prostitution to earn money.