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With the close of World War II, Argentina's latest ruling junta cozied up to the United States by signing a hemispheric mutual-defense treaty and announcing the resumption of democratic elections. Among parties vying for national office was the Labor Party of junta member and former labor chief Colonel Juan Perón. Campaigning among poor agricultural and industrial workers -- popularly known as the "shirtless ones" -- Perón won a populist victory in February 1946. Three years later, with the masses in thrall to his wife -- the former actress Eva Duarte -- Perón formally abrogated Argentina's 1853 charter, allowing himself to stand for re-election in 1952. Despite Perón's victory, however, Evita's death the same year -- combined with growing inflation -- ultimately led to a military coup and Perón's exile three years later.
photo: Hulton Archive
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Eva and Juan Perón demonstrating the famous tandem wave in 1951
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