| This thesis examines how U.S. economic pressures played a significant role in the down fall and exile of Argentine President Juan Peron. The scope of this project explores U.S./Argentine relations from the end of WW II through the Cold War. During this period, Peron's "third position" stance and anti-American propaganda threatened Latin American solidarity. To force Peron back into the hemispheric community, the U.S. State Department froze Argentina out of the Bretton Woods system and U.S. backed private loans. The resulting actions combined with the high costs of Peronism's domestic social programs threatened Argentina's already shaky economy. The ensuing social strains amongst members of nationalist groups, the Catholic Church, and the armed forces led to a military coup. Despite the volume of literature focusing on Peronism, there is very little specifically written concerning the causes of the coup. By examining State Department records, news paper articles, government economic reports, and secondary sources, I expose how the United States indirectly contributed to Peron's downfall. |
