ARGENTINA
ARGENTINA1501-1502
Amerigo Vespucci stimulates the Spanish search for a southern strait through tales of his explorations.
1516
Juan Diaz de Solis discovers the Rio de la Plata.
1520
Ferdinand Magellan discovers the Strait of Magellan.
1526-1529
Sebastian Cabot explores the land excited by tales of silver. He establishes the fort of Sancti Spiritus. The fort is wiped out by an Indian attack so Cabot and other survivors return to Spain.
1536-1541
Pedro de Mendoza establishes Buenos Aires, but most of the inhabitants move north to an area called Asuncion.
1580
Juan de Garay reestablishes Buenos Aires but the population remains small for over 100 years (approximately 2,200).
1550-1600
Argentina is settled by the Spanish who that come from neighboring countries. There is little direct migration from Spain.
17th Century
Three main cities, Tucuman, Cordoba and Buenos Aires take turns leading the country's economy. The University of Cordoba is established in 1613 and maintained by the Jesuits.
18th Century
Buenos Aires initiates trade directly with Europe. Ties with the viceroyalty of Peru are broken. Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Bolivia form the viceroyalty of La Plata. Buenos Aires becomes the capitol. The city experiences a rapid population growth (45,000 by 1800). Buenos Aires becomes cosmopolitan. The rise in commercialism leads to an increase in the number of gauchos.
1816
Independence is declared under the name of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata. Outlying areas steadily break away to form Paraguay (1814), Bolivia (1825) and Uruguay (1828).
1820-1829
Efforts are made to establish a republican government. There is no consensus on whether it should be centralized or federal. The Party of Order is established and both rural landowners and urban businessmen support the reforms that are implemented. A situation arises over the Bando Oriental (the east bank of the Uruguay River) and Argentina engages in war against Brazil.
Bernardo Rivadavia is chosen to be president. A civil war ensues under the military direction of Juan Facundo Quiroga and his federalist forces.
*Camila
1835
Anti-federalist forces assassinate Quiroga. Argentina's economy is boosted by the cattle industry.
*Facundo, The Shadow of a Tiger
1845
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento publishes his book about Quiroga.
1853
A constitution is adopted under the leadership of General Urquiza. Buenos Aires refuses to join this new confederation.
1859
Buenos Aires is incorporated by armed forces.
1865-1870
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay wage war against Paraguay.
1868-1874
Sarmiento becomes the "school master president." Argentina's economy begins t weaken as an economic crisis hits Europe.
1880s
The National Autonomist Party is the ruling party.
1890
Economic expansion leads to inflation and political unrest.
1896
The Socialist Party is established.
1916
The Radical front moves into power as Hipolito Irigoyen becomes the first president elected by popular vote. Economic expansion continues and relies completely on the export trade.
1930s
A military coup expels Irigoyen from office ending the constitutional continuity and the economic expansion. The Radical movement continues to gain power despite this.
1940-1943
The conservative coalition returns to power. Argentina declares its neutrality in WW II. Ramon Castillo is brought down by his own military forces.
1945-1955
Juan Peron rises to power and forms the Labor Party. He enacts many changes to benefit the working class. Eva Peron becomes a national figure advocating a popular democracy for the people. When Eva dies in 1952, Peron's efforts become much more conservative. He is overthrown in 1955.
*Evita
1955-1966
A military dictatorship attempts to restore constitutionalism. The Peronista forces try to regain political control. Juan Carlos Ongania is brought to power after a coup supported by the Peronistas, takes place.
1969
A series of riots take place in Cordoba over student and labor issues. Underground activities by the People's Revolutionary Army become prevalent.
1973
Peron returns to power and advocates an anti-leftist campaign.
1976-1981
Military forces take over the government. Jorge Rafael Videla becomes president. Under the Videla regime the economy recovers somewhat but political upheaval is still apparent. Argentina is criticized for violating human rights. The U.S. reduces its military aid. Argentina also reinstates its claim over the Beagle Channel Islands (claimed by Chile) and the Falkland Islands (governed by the UK).
*The Official Story, The Friend, The Funny, Dirty Little War, The Hunters of Utopias
1982
The Falkland Islands War takes place. Military forces land on the islands on April 2nd, but surrender them to the British on June 14th.
1983-1987
Raul Alfonsin and the Radical Party come into power. Alfonsin attempts to democratize the country and makes announcements that he intends to prosecute former members of the military regime that are guilty of violating human rights. The economic and political situations remain extremely turbulent.
*The Man Facing Southeast
1989-Present
Carlos Saul Menem, a member of the Peronist umbrella group the Justicialist Party, is elected president. Menem has enacted many labor reforms but unemployment remains high. The economy has made major improvements and the inflation rate has stabilized.