Political processes in Latin America 1930

Latin American policy after the crisis of 1929 led to various political processes. Populism
and reformism intensified in several countries, but in the area of Central America, by
contrast, dominated military dictatorships, which usually had the support of the United
States.

Brazil
Between 1930 and 1945 Getulio Vargas took power. From the beginning he sought to
strengthen the bourgeoisie, the middle class, the military and popular sectors. They were
the beneficiaries of its economic policy, of posts in the bureaucracy and social programs.
During the period corresponded to World War II, controlled and favored exports, laid the
foundation of the Brazilian heavy industry, protected domestic manufactures, promoted
public works and unemployment effectively combated. the transformation of the state
apparatus which was presented to be aligned with the populist system, for which it began
to exclude the oligarchies. However, with the passage of time, the government was turning
into a dictatorship, by prohibiting political parties and dissolve the assemblies of the
different States. Getulio Vargas was president of his country for the second time between
1951 and 1954, this time backed by an overwhelming majority of votes. In the second
period the management was not as successful, among other things due to lack of support
of the bourgeoisie and the army. He stepped down in 1954 and then killed himself.

Argentina
In June 1943, a group of military power that until then had held the landowners, bankers
and traders took. The event marked the beginning of a new stage in Argentina's history
and its main protagonist Colonel Juan Domingo Peron elected president of the republic in
1946 and reelected in 1951. Peron introduced the justicialismo, social, political and
economic system that sought be a third way between capitalism and communism. At this
stage he was accompanied by his wife, Maria Eva Duarte, known as Eva Peron, who with
his charismatic personality, the sympathy of the Argentine people, especially the popular
sectors gained. The final years of World War II left Argentina a favorable economic situation
due to increased agricultural trade with Europe. This allowed the government to take
measures such as the nationalization of the telephone companies, railways and the
electricity sector; It encouraged the construction of public works such as hospitals, schools,
roads and infrastructure such as dams, pipelines and steel. He also established
monopolies and state controls, boosted manufacturing, while implemented measures in
favor of the working classes. Juan Domingo Peron ruled until 1955 after facing a severe
economic crisis, the death of his wife and a strong opposition.

Mexico
The Revolution began in 1910, began a series of reforms continued in the thirties during
the government of Lazaro Cardenas. During its policies they were developed as the
distribution of about 20 million hectares among the peasants. In 1937 the railway
companies were nationalized. In 1938 the expropriation of all oil companies in Mexico
resident was declared, causing the rupture of relations with the United Kingdom. That same
year allowed the creation of the Institute of Anthropology and History (INAN) and the
National Indigenous Institute. The latter was created in order to integrate the Indian into
national life. Land reform advanced by Cardenas, affected relations with the United States,
as the oil expropriation, but the amount of public investment allowed the economic situation
was bearable.

Venezuela
During the 1929 crisis, this country was little affected by the oil boom that quickly
transformed the way of life of Venezuelans. This time allowed to form an opulent state,
which built schools, health centers, roads and neighborhoods for the working classes. By
1945, the representative of the Democratic Action Party, Romulo Betancourt, was brought
to power through a military coup, which sought to include in the political life of the country
to marginalized sectors. This was followed by Romulo Gallegos, who was toppled from
power by the army, to be replaced by Marcos Perez Jimenez, who ruled from 1952 to 1958.
He introduced a strict dictatorship in the shelter of a large oil prosperity, neglecting
diversification economy.

Ecuador
Attempts to renew this country were, until 1930, held by the Liberal Party. Thereafter, he
emerged Jos Mara Velasco Ibarra, which represent an opportunity to change for the
Ecuadorian people. He tried to impose an authoritarian government that broke with the
extreme right and left, exerting political conservatism. Several times he was elected by the
people and overthrown by the army. His reforms did little to change the political face of the
country, as this continued to be dominated by landowners and productive economy
remained in a few hands.

Bolivia
The evolution of Bolivian governments in search of a solution to the crisis of the thirties
was more complex than that of other countries because of their deteriorating economic
situation and the role played by the army, which repeatedly tried to impose their criteria
stroke of State. Only in 1952 he took office a leader to advance a genuine national
revolution: Victor Paz Estenssoro. This advanced the nationalization of the mines, the main
source of income for the country, and land reform, while tried to improve the standard of
living of the working and peasant population. These measures are not able to do because
of low copper prices and compensation that should have been paid for nationalizations.