SPA141...Evita quick facts

Here are some quick facts about Eva Peron for you to consider while we watch the movie in class. Think about other Latin American leaders...Che, Castro, Chavez...how does Evita compare?

• Born 1919 in rural Argentina
• Grew up poor, one of 5 illegitimate children
• Moved to Buenos Aires at the age of 16 to become an actress
• Met Juan Peron in 1945, they were married in 1946 (She was 24, he was 48...not important, but interesting)

Side Note: Juan Peron was widowed. I couldn't remember that in class. His first wife died of cancer in 1938.

• Started her own charity that built schools and hospitals.
• Politicized organized labor
• Initiated social welfare programs
• Fought for economic reform
• Fought for the right for women to vote and to be educated...her first vote, was for her husband
• Didn't hesitate to "silence" the opposition...stop funding, end programs, made arrests...

Side Note: I probably should have defined "Peronism" or "Justicialismo" before I provided the facts...

Peronism is the political ideology based on the ideas and programs of former Argentine president Juan Perón. Basically he believed in strong authoritarian central leadership, with strict control of opposition forces; freedom from foreign influences; and the combination of communism and capitalism economics.

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Peronism

Here's what I want you to think about...

1. Think about her background, her rise to power, and what she accomplished. Knowing what you know historically about Latin America (their methods...coups, revolutions, dictatorships...), were her methods justified? Why? Why not?
2. Do you believe she "really fought for the people"? Or, was she "fighting for her own personal" advancement? Or, was her personal struggle the catalyst that drove her to fight for the people?
3. Critics will argue that she was the "politician" in the family, while supporters will defend her and say that she fully supported her husband. What do you think?

Here's a video that gives a quick synopsis of her life and you'll get to her voice...I think it's cool.
http://youtu.be/mkbim9VbAWY