Cold Open

It’s early in the morning of October 17th, 1945. 

Union leader Cipriano Reyes makes his way through the quiet streets of a Buenos Aires suburb. As one of the country’s main supporters of worker’s rights, he’s happy to see the factories and workshops he passes are closed, thanks to a series of ongoing strikes. But today the workers aren’t just staying home.

As Cipriano moves further toward the city center, he begins to see a mass of people marching toward the capital. After days of union-led strikes, this appears to be a culmination of civil unrest. And it’s being led because of one man.

As Cipriano joins the crowds, he hears the name of former Vice-President General Juan Domingo Peron being chanted over and over again. Since his days as the head of the Labor Department, Peron has fought for workers’ rights and built himself a small army of followers along the way. But just a few days ago, Peron was arrested in a pre-emptive move by the Argentine government, who fear he’s becoming a little too popular. Now, the masses have come out to advocate for Peron’s release.

Up ahead, Cipriano sees police gathering near a giant bridge, one that separates the workers in the suburbs from the government buildings in the city.

Cipriano crosses to the other side, just moments before officers issue orders to raise the bridge.

He looks back and sees that the police's attempts to stop the march have failed. Despite the river being an outlet for all the city’s sewer waste, the workers are determined to cross. Some climb aboard makeshift rafts and row to the other side. Others simply wade through the filthy water. 

Cipriano continues to follow the crowd as they edge closer to the city. The transport system, already struggling under the weight of the strikes, has completely buckled under the pressure of thousands descending upon the capital. Cipriano follows the crowd as they edge closer to the city weaving through the traffic-filled streets until the 20,000 disgruntled marchers make it to the city’s main square.

There, they are joined by thousands more until their number swells to over a hundred thousand, all of them stomping their feet and chanting for Peron’s release. With each spirited cheer and anguished exclamation, Cipriano recognizes that the mood of an entire country now rests on a knife's edge.

Over the next few days, Argentina will change forever. Amid growing unrest, the country’s President will have to make a decision between releasing Juan Domingo Peron or feeling the wrath of an entire populace. His decision, and the events that follow, will forever alter the lives of Argentines and catalyze the rise of a political movement galvanized by the workers’ march on October 17th, 1945.

Introduction

From Noiser and Airship, I’m Lindsay Graham and this is History Daily.

History is made every day. On this podcast—every day—we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world.

Today is October 17th, 1945: The Rise of President Peron.

Act One: Relief for San Juan

It’s January 15th, 1944, in the province of San Juan in Argentina, almost two years before Juan Domingo Peron will be ousted from power.

As he walks the streets, Peron is dismayed by the devastation all around him. Now the Minister of Labor in Argentina’s military government, Peron is here to survey the damage done by the worst natural disaster to ever hit Argentina: an earthquake that has claimed over 10,000 lives.

In front of him are once grand buildings reduced to rubble, once happy families brought to desperation and tears over lost loved ones. Peron also sees the infrastructure around him is gone. The roads and telephone lines are all destroyed. He assesses the damage, and in it, sees an opportunity.

Just six months earlier, Peron was part of a military coup that helped unseat the unpopular and corrupt former government. Known as the Revolution of 43, the coup saw what many hoped was an end to turbulent times in Argentina, and for his role in the victory, Peron was given the post of Minister of Labor.

But the regime change hasn’t been the success many hoped for. The new military government faces its own problems, and corruption and cronyism continues. But Peron hopes the tragedy of the San Juan earthquake will become a uniting moment for the country.

While at ground zero of the disaster, Peron recognizes that money must be raised quickly to rebuild the city. And though his position of labor minister has traditionally come with little power, Peron is able to leverage his title and connections to call a meeting of all heads of sectors – from banking to sports to the arts. Something of a theatrical persona, Peron also enjoys his links to the Argentine film and radio industries and is soon hosting fundraising events, asking for ideas from those gathered on how to raise enough money to get San Juan back on its feet.

During these fundraising sessions, Peron – widowed from his first wife for more than five years – meets a young radio star by the name of Eva Duarte. The General is immediately impressed with this bright-eyed, passionate woman, one who argues against his idea to fundraise through festivals. Eva’s idea is to go directly to the rich instead, to ask those who have money and get them to pay to rebuild.

Taken in by her enthusiasm, Peron gives Eva partial responsibility for the fundraising efforts, and the two quickly begin both a professional and personal relationship. This partnership though, is not looked upon kindly by many within the government, who see Eva as a commoner exerting far too much control over both Peron and his policies.

But few can argue that the fundraising appeal for the earthquake is anything other than a monumental success. And, as Peron’s popularity increases, he becomes less and less concerned with what those in power think of him. Instead, he turns his attention to getting the people on his side.  

So, while the earthquake relief effort continues, Peron is also hard at work cementing his position as Minister of Labor. Knowing there’s power in the nation’s unions, he decides that rather than battle them — as many have done over the previous decades — he would support them. But only if they pledge their political allegiance to him. Many agree and a symbiotic relationship quickly forms in which Peron gives the workers increased rights and better pay. They in turn help him establish pro-Peron unions. 

Over the following months, Peron’s star continues to rise. In the same year as the San Juan earthquake, Peron's promoted to the Vice Presidency. His front-facing work on the earthquake relief project, alongside his continued support for unions, makes Peron’s name synonymous with helping the underdogs and working for the workers of Argentina. And as he continues to step out with Eva Duarte, he will become even more popular with the people, who see Eva as one of their own, and the two together as a power couple.

But Peron’s immense popularity will become something of a problem for the current President, Edelmiro Farrell. Increasingly, Farrell will see Peron as a threat that needs to be dealt with so he won’t lose his own position. But Farrell’s attempt to put out Peron’s flame will backfire, leading to one of the biggest demonstrations Bueno Aires has ever witnessed.

Act Two: Peron’s Release

It’s October 17th, 1945, almost two years after the San Juan earthquake catapulted Juan Domingo Peron to new political heights.

Peron shakes his head, marveling at the miraculous turn of events in his fortune.

Over just the past seven days, Peron has gone from Vice President to prisoner to hero of the people. It’s almost too much for him to comprehend.

A week ago, Peron was ousted from his positions of power. Sensing his vice president was something of a loose cannon, President Edelmiro Farrell ordered Peron to give up both his political ambitions and military positions.

At first, Peron refused. But then, the President informed Peron that, unless he wrote out his resignation with immediate effect, the army would march on the city and put an end to the government. Peron had no choice, but to accept the terms before him.

In a rousing speech to workers announcing his dismissal, Peron promised that their pay would not only increase but be linked to inflation. These were two policies that did not come from the government, but Peron wanted the workers to know he was on their side, no matter what. When word of these policies reached the President, he decided the only option for the renegade Peron was prison.

But now, less than seven days after his arrest, Juan Domingo Peron holds all the cards.

The masses have come to his defense. Peron has been informed that the series of recent strikes throughout Buenos Aires have culminated in a massive workers’ march, and Peron’s dismissal is driving the demonstration. The protesters say they will not stop until Peron is free.

And soon, Eduardo Colom, a newspaper editor sympathetic to Peron and his politics, arrives to tell Peron that he’s come directly from the city center where he’s seen first-hand the hundreds of thousands of supporters in the capital, all demanding his release. He asks Peron to try to come with him, to tell the crowd he’s safe. But Peron refuses. He’s more than happy to wait to see how this all plays out.

No one knows what kind of chaos the country will be thrown into if Peron is not released, so President Farrell does the only thing he can. He sends word that he will do whatever Peron wants. And in response, Peron demands that he be released that new elections be held next year, and that upon his return to the government, he is able to select his own cabinet.

With the mass uprising of workers all on Peron’s side, Farrell has no option but to acquiesce. Satisfied, Peron dons his old uniform and agrees to meet the crowd.

At 10:30 in the evening, on the balcony of the presidential palace, the crowd finally sees the man they’ve been waiting for. Peron steps out to monumental applause and a chorus of the National Anthem. He knows the crowd will need unity to calm down. So, despite having recently been put in jail by him, Peron openly embraces President Farrell.

Then in front of over 200,000 people, Peron begins his speech. He lets loose with emotive, passionate words about forgiveness and fraternity. He’s coy about where he’s been and the details surrounding his arrest, for fear of stoking the crowd. But he announces that he is indeed ready to serve the ‘great mass’ of Argentina. The crowd erupts into more applause.

During Peron’s speech, he also invokes the term ‘descamisados’ meaning shirtless ones. A once derogatory term for the working classes, Peron is now claiming it as their own, declaring that he would be a champion for those who need help the most.

He ends his speech by telling the masses that tomorrow is for celebrating, that the only people who should go to work are the bosses. Then, Peron leaves and returns to his home where his partner Eva Duarte waits for him.

The mythology surrounding the events of October 17th will see the true birth of Peronism, a nationalist political ideology that rejects both Communism and Capitalism. Taking a staunch anti-US viewpoint, Peron will champion social justice, economic independence, and political sovereignty. This platform will afford Peron the chance to ride a populist wave to the highest position of government. Less than six months after his imprisonment, Peron will begin his first term as President of Argentina.

By his side, all throughout the campaigning will be Eva Duarte. Evita, as she will call herself, will become as much of a figurehead for the workers and women of Argentina as the man she will soon marry. And, together, Juan and Evita will shape Argentina and its politics for decades to come.

Act Three

It’s June 4th, 1946, at the Argentine Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires.

At the head of a banquet table, Eva Peron entertains those around her, who have just witnessed the inauguration of her husband, Juan Domingo Peron. She wines, and dines those in attendance, enjoying her new role.

By virtue of being President Peron’s wife, Eva has just become first lady of Argentina. Her rise from unknown actress to radio star to now a position of great political influence is meteoric. Having campaigned alongside Juan, Eva knows she’s played a large part in the election of her husband. Now, as she sits among the most notable members of Argentine society, she’s eager to keep playing her part in shaping the country.

In the months since October 17th, a mythic status has engulfed Eva, spread throughout Buenos Aires and beyond. These tales have been spun in no small part by her husband. In many retellings of the events of October 17th, Eva is almost single-handedly responsible for rallying the workers to come to Peron’s defense through non-violent protest.

And with this legend in place, Eva begins the promotion of Peronism. She’s primed to fight for the causes she believes in, including social justice and voting rights for women. After a tour of Europe, meeting dignitaries and politicians, she returns to South America and starts work on the Eva Peron Foundation.

With Eva at the helm, this charitable organization expands to soon employ tens of thousands of workers and boasts hundreds of millions of dollars in funds.

Meanwhile, Juan Peron begins work on his five-year plan. He calls for huge infrastructure changes to transportation, communication, and energy. He also advocates for workers' rights, setting a goal to close class divisions with increased wages for workers and full employment. These actions make him a divisive figure though, hated by the country’s large employers, but loved by the people.

With a post-war economy booming, Argentina became a major global player, and Peronism grows stronger than ever. But in 1952, tragedy strikes. Eva Peron passes prematurely, at the age of just 33. The Argentine working class see it as the loss of their greatest ally.

Three years later, Peronism faces yet another challenge. Vulnerable and still mourning his wife’s death, a military coup in 1955 sees Juan Peron forced to live in exile in Spain. His name and that of his wife will be ruined by the Government, and support for his return and his political causes will be outlawed.

But eighteen years later, Peron will fly back to his beloved home country and be declared President once again, after a stand-in candidate wins on a pro-Peron ticket. But this second reign will last less than a year. In 1974, Peron will pass away in office, at the age of 78.

Still, Peron's name and the legacy he and his wife gave to Argentina will echo well into the 21st century. Loved by some and hated by others, Peronism will survive in many different forms in Argentine politics, almost eight decades after Argentina’s working class rallied around Peron on October 17th, 1945.  

Outro

Next on History Daily. October 18th, 1867. United States takes possession of Alaska after purchasing the territory from Russia for two cents an acre.

From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsay Graham.

Audio editing by Muhammad Shahzaib.

Sound design by Mischa Stanton.

Music by Lindsay Graham.

This episode is written and researched by Owen Paul Nicholls.

Executive Producers are Alexandra Currie-Buckner for Airship, and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.