Argentina’s Political Turmoil: 1928-1938
Conservative Reconstruction and Yrigoyen’s Return
In 1928, Hipólito Yrigoyen returned to the presidency with 57% of the vote, defeating the opposition groups Melo-Gallo (anti-personalist radical and conservative) and Bravo-Repetto (socialist). The pre-election climate showed novel features: conservatives were determined to prevent Yrigoyen’s return, and media outlets like La Nación, La Prensa, and Crítica also opposed him.
Yrigoyen’s Unstable Second Government
One of the features of the new cabinet was the disappearance of traditional family members, replaced by middle-class lawyers. In a context of growing social questioning, two cases demonstrated this: a nationalized oil project and the global economic crisis.
- Oil Nationalization Project: The government championed this project as a radical anti-imperialist flag against big business. It aimed to create a monopoly on oil resources, prohibiting foreign companies from operating underground. The bill passed the House of Representatives but not the Senate. The debate spread throughout society, and the situation was complicated by an offer from the Soviet government, leading to the phrase “the smell of oil had hit.”
- Global Economic Crisis: Before the fall of the New York Stock Exchange, Argentina experienced a decline in international prices of agricultural products. This contributed to economic shocks that aggravated the situation. Additionally, the entry of foreign capital declined sharply due to international shocks.
The Attempt to Generate Consensus
To gain Senate approval for the oil project, Yrigoyen sought arrangements that would favor the landowning sectors, with whom he needed to build a relationship. He invited a British trade mission to the country and signed the D’Abernon Pact, which favored the development of state railways and attempted to boost agricultural production. While the Senate did not approve this, Yrigoyen appeared to support the elites’ ideas of strengthening relations with Britain and the U.S.
The Climate of the Military Coup
In middle-class sectors, nationalist and anti-Semitic ideas were growing stronger, and circles formed to confront those who altered the “order.” They were torn between institutional or military intervention, but the military knew that radicalism had shown strength in the polls and did not want to risk another intervention. The crisis and the government invaded the official party. On September 6, 1930, a group led by Uriburu initiated a military coup, forcing Yrigoyen to resign and taking him to Martín García Island for more than three months.
The First Coup
Yrigoyen’s overthrow was the first military coup in Argentina. The coup leaders were united against Yrigoyen but differed on what to do after his fall.
- Nationalists: Led by Uriburu, who became interim prime minister, they proposed abolishing elections and political parties, creating a corporatist system.
- Liberal Conservatives: Led by Agustín Justo, they considered restoring the Constitution and ridding society of Yrigoyenist demagoguery.
In 1931, the government called elections in the province of Buenos Aires, which were won by the Liberals. Several episodes of corruption and fraud throughout the decade deepened the lack of legitimacy of the political system.
Corruption and Fraud During Restricted Democracy
Between 1931 and 1935, the Radical Civic Union opted not to stand for elections, returning to abstentionism. Power returned to the array of groups that had controlled it before 1926: exporters of the pampas and the agrarian bourgeoisie of the provinces, with support from the army. “Concordance” was the name given to the coalition of parties that ruled during these years, formed by Conservatives, anti-personalist Radicals, and the Independent Socialist Party. Corruption and electoral fraud were rampant during Justo’s government. Torture and mistreatment of political prisoners were commonplace, the Residence Law was applied to oust leftist militants, and the police Special Branch was established.
Reform Attempts: The Ortiz Government
Ortiz’s presidency, which began in 1938, was characterized by contradictory situations and increased stress. His electoral victory was a result of fraud, even acknowledged by the victors. He proposed changing political practices from within the government. This position clashed with the more conservative sectors of the ruling coalition, who were willing to maintain the status quo, summarized as “patriotic fraud” (a political leader’s declaration that preventing the triumph of radicalism was a “political duty”). Ortiz’s reform efforts aimed at restoring democracy but were frustrated due to his illness, which created a deep crisis due to conflicting projects.
The Conservative Reaction of President Castillo
Castillo returned to old political practices: closing the Deliberative Council of the City of Buenos Aires, declaring a state of siege to prevent opponents from making propaganda in favor of the Allies, and taking measures that earned him the support of nationalist groups. Before the start of World War II, the Argentine government proclaimed neutrality, which responded to the interests of both pro-British and pro-Axis groups. One facet of nationalism was the concern for industrial development, aiming for national defense and independence from hegemonic powers.