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 Argentina became a virtual dictatorship under President Juan Domingo Peron
(1895-1974), who was assisted in the government by his wife Eva, or Evita
(1919-1952). In 1951, the country's economy was in bad shape, with decreasing
export trade, climbing inflation, and striking railway workers, firemen, and
engineers. Declaring martial law, Peron broke the strikers with force and
claimed they were instigated by "foreign agitators." He suspended
publication of La Prensa, Argentina's largest independent newspaper,
which had criticized the government; riots erupted over the paper's suspension.
The government confiscated the paper after its publisher fled the country. Peron
attempted to have his wife nominated for vice president, but the prospect of a
women succeeding to the presidency and as commander of armed forces outraged
some army generals, who led an unsuccessful revolt in September 1951. Peron
blamed the military revolt, which was suppressed by loyal troops, on the
activities of former US Ambassador Spruille Braden. Eva
withdrew her bid for the vice presidency; and in the national election on
November 11, 1951, Peron was reelected president by a two to one popular
majority.
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