Perón, Juan (1895–1974)

Juan Domingo Perón (1895–1974) was three times an Argentine president, from 1946 to 1955 (reelected) and from 1973 until his death. He founded one of the most relevant political movements in Latin America, Peronism, as institutionalized in the Justicialista Party. Perón and his second wife, Eva Duarte, are credited with achieving a better quality of life for the poorest sectors of Argentines. Opponents define him as populist and a dictator.

Perón began his political career in Argentina as a member of the military government that came into power in 1943. In charge of the Department of Labor, Perón agreed with the positions held by labor unions, socialists, and other political groups that represented his voting base. As a result of his growing influence, the government arrested ...