Time of multitudes

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[ EN 800 ] 

A VISIT IN MOTION

Moving images were one of the distinctive features of the 20th century. This recording of Bartolomé Mitre visiting the National Historical Museum on November 11, 1901 is one of the first ever made in Argentina. 

• CINEMATOGRAPH OF CASA LEPAGE

[ EN 801 ]

PORTRAIT OF JULIO ARGENTINO ROCA

At the turn of the century, Roca, main figure of the PAN, was president. He was the first politician to occupy the seat twice. During this term he negotiated a border agreement with Chile, which defused the threat of war. He also explored the issue of worker’s rights, while also escalating repression of the worker’s movement.

• EGIDIO QUERCIOLA, 1913. OIL ON CANVAS

[ EN 802 ]

COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE

Pablo Ricchieri, Roca’s Minister of War encouraged the modernization and professionalization of the Argentine Army, following the Prussian model. A central topic, fearing a war with Chile, was finding a way to increase recruitment.

In 1896 an experiment with conscription had been made, and in 1901, by Ricchieri’s initiative, compulsory military service was established. Argentine males over 20 years old had to enroll and, after a training period, could be called to the ranks during the next 25 years. At the same time, the Army sought to convey discipline and hygiene standards and stimulate patriotic sentiment. Enrollment books were also used as an ID, and to help put together electoral rolls.  

• PABLO RICCHIERI’S SWIVELING CHAIR. WOODTURNED CEDAR, PLANT FIBERS AND TEXTILES 

• ENROLLMENT BOOK BELONGING TO EDUARDO PEDRO BERTONI, 1911. PAPER, INKS AND BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO 

[ EN 803 ]

PRESIDENTIAL SASH FROM JULIO ARGENTINO ROCA’S SECOND TERM

Presidential terms lasted 6 years and there was no reelection. The position could be held again only after a different president had occupied it before. Roca was elected for a second time in 1898, 12 years after he concluded his first presidency.

• SILK GROSGRAIN AND METALLIC THREAD

[ EN 804]

MANUEL QUINTANA’S PRESIDENTIAL SASH

Quintana was Roca´s candidate to succeed him as president, but, for the first time, the PAN held a convention to select a nominee. There, Quintana was confirmed and the modernists were able to impose their candidate for vice president. Quintana won the 1904 election and the next year he had to face a revolution, led by the Radicalists, which was suppressed. His health had deteriorated and he died in 1906.

• SILK GROSGRAIN, METALLIC THREAD AND SEQUINS

[ EN 805 ]

VICTORINO DE LA PLAZA’S PRESIDENTIAL SASH

De la Plaza, who came from Salta, was Roque Saenz Peña’s vice president. Saenz Peña took leave because of his health issues in October 1813, and died the next year. During De la Plaza’s presidency, the First World War broke out and Argentina declared itself neutral. In addition to that, De la Plaza completed Saenz Peña’s electoral reform. He was the last president of the conservative period.

• SILK GROSGRAIN, SEQUINS, METALLIC AND SILK THREADS

[ EN 806 ]

JOSÉ FIGUEROA ALCORTA’S PRESIDENTIAL SASH

Figueroa Alcorta headed the three branches of government throughout his life: he was the country’s vice president and presided the senate from 1904 to 1906; After president Quintana’s death, he led the Executive branch; and from 1915 he was a Supreme Court judge and its president from 1929. From that seat, in 1930, he endorsed the military coup by José Felix de Uriburu.  

• SILK GROSGRAIN, SEQUINS, METALLIC AND SILK THREADS

[ EN 807]

PORTRAIT OF JOSÉ FIGUEROA ALCORTA

Figueroa Alcorta, from the province of Córdoba, replaced president Manuel Quintana after his death in 1906. Since he belonged to the modernist faction of the PAN, the Congress, which had a majority that supported Roca, devoted itself to obstructing his actions. In January, 1908 the annual budget bill was not debated and Figueroa Alcorta took extreme measures: he cancelled extraordinary sessions, declared the 1907 budget valid and shut down the Congress through police force. It was a “golpe de Estado”, a “coup d’etat”–that’s what they called it at the time–carried out by the President, who also declared the intervention of the provinces, made new lists with his own candidates for Deputies and won the March elections. Figueroa Alcorta put a definite end to the alliance led by Roca and seized control of the PAN.

• EGIDIO QUERCIOLA, 1913. OIL ON CANVAS

[ EN 808]

PORTRAIT OF ROQUE SÁENZ PEÑA

In 1910 Roque Sáenz Peña assumed the Presidency. He led the modernist wing of the PAN that opposed Roca. His goal was to carry out an electoral reform which could legitimize the political system in the hands of his party. He achieved it in 1912, when he passed the “Sáenz Peña Law”, which established mandatory and secret suffrage for males (argentines who lived in the national territories and foreigners couldn’t vote). The new law allowed for clean elections for the very first time. Further, it incorporated a system for the distribution of seats of parliament among different political forces according to the votes that each obtained, which, in turn, made it possible for minority forces to earn access to representation in Congress. Sáenz Peña died in 1914, not having concluded his term.

• EGIDIO QUERCIOLA, 1911. OIL ON CANVAS

[ EN 809]

POLITICAL CARICATURES

A characteristic of political life at the end of the 19th century was that disputes, criticisms and ideas were expressed in print, in which the humorous stylings of caricatures were a frequent highlight.

All political figures, with no exception, were caricatured. This drawing of Manuel Quintana, Roca’s successor in the presidency, is an example of that.

Another was published by the magazine “Careta”, from Rio de Janeiro, in 1912. That year, border and military tensions between Argentina and Brazil, made it necessary for former presidents Roca and Manuel de Campos Salles to hold a meeting to try and improve relations. They are presented as trying to hide a monstrous anti-Brazil sentiment, born of the argentines' mistrust of the neighboring country.

• CARICATURE OF MANUEL QUINTANA. FERNANDO QUESADA, BUENOS AIRES, 1905. WATERCOLOR AND GRAPHITE PENCIL ON PAPER 
• CARICATURE OF GENERAL ROCA AND DOCTOR CAMPOS SALLES. JUAN CARLOS DE BRITO, RÍO DE JANEIRO, 1912. WATERCOLOR ON PAPER

[ EN 810]

THE LAW OF RESIDENCY

In 1902, under Roca’s presidency, the Law of residency was passed, as a form of suppressing social protests. Worker’s strikes were increasing, generally directed by anarchists and socialists. Both currents had many immigrants in their ranks, some of them with political and union experience that they had acquired in their native countries. The law, which had been requested by industrialists, was a push against them, as it suspended rights and guarantees for foreigners and allowed their imprisonment and deportation from the country without a trial, just by being considered “undesirables” or a danger to safety and public order. The law was introduced by senator Miguel Cané, who is shown kicking immigrants in this caricature.

• LA NACIÓN, FEBRUARY 11, 1903

[ EN 811]

• COMMENCEMENT OF THE BUILDING WORKS OF THE DOCKS OF ROSARIO, SANTA FE 26-10-1902. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER
• INAUGURATION OF SANITARY WORKS IN SALTA. 28-6-1903. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER
• CABLE CAR TO FAMATINA MOUNTAIN, LA RIOJA. FOR THE CLIMB TO LA MEJICANA GOLD MINE 1-2-1903/29-7-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO COPPER

• OPENING OF THE WORKS OF RAILWAYS IN LA RIOJA AND CATAMARCA. FROM CHUMBICHA AND LA RIOJA TO ANDAGALA AND FROM MAZÁN TO TINOGASTA. 27-7-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• INAUGURATION OF THE RUNNING WATER SUPPLY IN SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO. 17-9-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• INAUGURATION OF THE RUNNING WATER SUPPLY IN JUJUY.  20-9-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• IRON-INDUSTRIAL RAILWAY LINE EXTENSION FROM AÑATUYA, SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, TO CHACO. 22-9-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO. COPPER

• COLLOCATION OF THE CORNERSTONE OF THE REGIONAL NORMAL SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS OF CORRIENTES. 25-9-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• OPENING OF THE WORKS IN THE DOCK OF CONCORDIA, ENTRE RÍOS. 8-10-1904. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• EXTENSION OF THE ANDEAN RAILWAY FROM LA TOMA, SAN LUIS, TO VILLA DOLORES, CÓRDOBA. 1-12-1905. ANONYMOUS. SILVER

• INAUGURATION OF EASTERN SEWERS IN CAÑADA DEL MOYANO, MENDOZA. 28-2-1907. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• OPENING OF THE MARAPÁ CHANNELS AND OF THE VILLA ALBERDI SCHOOL, TUCUMÁN. 23-5-1908. BELLAGAMBA Y ROSSI. SILVER

• FOUNDATION OF THE RURAL NORMAL SCHOOL OF POSADAS, MISIONES. 27-2-1909. JUAN GOTTUZZO. SILVER

• INAUGURATION OF THE RURAL NORMAL SCHOOL IN SANTA ROSA DE TOAY, LA PAMPA. 27-2-1909. JUAN GOTTUZZO Y CÍA. METAL

• INAUGURATION OF THE IRRIGATION WORKS OF THE RÍO NEGRO, NEUQUEN DAM. MARCH OF 1910. JORGE MARÍA LUBARY. SILVER

• PATAGONIAN RAILROADS FROM SAN ANTONIO, RÍO NEGRO, TO NAHUEL HUAPI. MARCH OF 1910. JORGE MARIA LUBARY. COPPER

• INAUGURATION OF THE WORKS OF THE SUBTERRANEAN TRAMWAY NETWORK, CITY OF BUENOS AIRES, 1910. JORGE MARÍA LUBARY. SILVER

• WATERWAYS OF RÍO BERMEJO, CHACO. JULY OF 1911. JORGE MARÍA LUBARY. SILVER

• DAM OF RÍO III RESERVOIR, CÓRDOBA, NOVEMBER OF 1911. JORGE MARÍA LUBARY. SILVER

• COLLOCATION OF THE CORNERSTONE OF RAWSON HOSPITAL, SAN JUAN. 30-11-1913. ANONYMOUS. PLATED COPPER

• COLLOCATION OF THE CORNERSTONE OF THE REGIONAL ASYLUM FOR ABANDONED CHILDREN IN OLIVERA, MERCEDES DISTRICT, BUENOS AIRES. 25-6-1914. HORTA Y CÍA. COPPER

• COLLOCATION OF THE CORNERSTONE OF THE BUILDING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTA FE. 20-4-1915. JUAN GOTTUZZO Y CíA. SILVER

[ EN 812]

PORTRAIT OF CARLOS GALIGNIANA

In 1905 the radicalists overthrew the conservative Governor of Mendoza, Galigniana, and instated a provisional government in the province, that lasted a few days.

• ALEJANDRO WITCOMB, 1904 PHOTOGRAPH

[ EN 813]

MEDALS HONORING GERMÁN KUHR AND CORNELIO BACA

They commemorate two radicalist militants who died in a shootout in Pirovano station, in the province of Buenos Aires, during the 1905 revolution.

• CONSTANTE AND ALBERTO ROSSI, 1917. BRONZE

[ EN 814]

ASHTRAY SHAPED LIKE A CATTLE BRAND THAT BELONGED GO HIPÓLITO YRIGOYEN

The main radicalist leaders were part of the social elite. Yrigoyen became the owner of an “estancia”—a large portion of land with cattle or crop fields—before he was party leader.

• BRONZE

[ EN 815]

 STALL WORKERS AT THE FRUIT MARKET WAITING FOR THE RESULT OF AN ASSEMBLY. GENERAL STRIKE OF NOVEMBER 1902. 

[ EN 816]

ASSEMBLY OF ANARCHIST CART DRIVERS DURING A STRIKE, JANUARY OF 1904

[ EN 817]

MEDAL OF THE RECREATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE WORKERS YOUTH

Workers activities and organizations were varied. This medal from 1901, with an engraving of a hammer and framing square, belongs to a recreational society from Necochea.

• METAL

[ EN 818]

MEDAL OF THE SOCIEDAD TIPOGRÁFICA BONAERENSE

The Sociedad Tipográfica Bonaerense [Typographical Society of Buenos Aires] was the first trade union in Argentina. This medal commemorates 50 years since it was founded.

• HORTA Y CIA., 1907. SILVER

[ EN 819]

SALARY TOKEN OF LEDESMA SUGAR MILL. NON-FERROUS METAL

[ EN 820]

TOKEN OF THE CAPDEVILA LUMBER MILL. BRONZE

[ EN 821]

TOKEN OF THE CONCORDIA CONSOLIDATE MINES COMPANY, SALTA. GOLDEN METAL

[ EN 822]

 TOKEN OF THE ALBION QUARRY, TANDIL. ALUMINIUM

[ EN 823]

PRODUCTION CONTROL TOKEN OF THE UNZUÉ ESTANCIA, MERCEDES, BUENOS AIRES

BRONZE

[ EN 824]

MEDAL PORTRAYING ALFREDO PALACIOS

Palacios was the first socialist representative in Latin America. He won the electoral district comprising La Boca and Barracas, two working class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.

• CASANOVAS Y HORTA, 1904. PLATED COPPER

[ EN 825]

SCULPTURE OF JUAN B. JUSTO BY FENIA CHERTKOFF

Justo was the main leader of socialism until his death in 1928. From 1912, he was a National Deputy, and then a Senator. When he passed, Fenia Chertkoff sculpted his liking as an homage. Born in Russia and opposed to Tsarism, Chertkoff exiled herself in Argentina and was one of the founders of the Feminine Socialist Center of Buenos Aires. She fought for gender equality, women’s right to vote and divorce, and the wellbeing of children. 

• FENIA CHERTKOFF, 1928. CAST BRONZE

[ EN 826]

FRAY MOCHO MAGAZINE, JULY 25, 1912. MARIANO MORENO NATIONAL LIBRARY

[ EN 827]

MEDAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEMININE CONGRESS, 1910

In this Congress, women demanded their emancipation from male tutelage and the liberty to manage their possessions and assets, and to be able to be in charge of minors, among other issues.

• GOLDEN COPPER

[ EN 828]

MEDAL OF THE PATRIOTIC CONGRESS OF LADIES AND THE FEMININE EXPOSITION OF THE CENTENARY

The members of this Congress expressed their opposition to feminism and socialism and put forward matters of education, like how to multiply Professional Schools for women.

• PLATED COPPER

[ EN 829]

 SIGN THAT HANG IN CECILIA GRIERSON’S PRIVATE PRACTICE

Grierson was the first woman who graduated as a Medical Doctor in Argentina. She spearheaded the creation of The National Women’s Council, in which she was a figure of the group that had been to university.

[ EN 830]

CECILIA GRIERSON’S CAPE

• SILK CHIFFON AND GAUZE, HANDSEWN, 1930

[ EN 831]

CECILIA GRIERSON’S DRESS

• TULLE AND SILK SATIN, EMBROIDERED, HAND AND MACHINE SEWN, 1915

[ EN 832]

BELÉN TEZANOS DE OLIVER’S DRESS

Tezanos was part of the National Women’s Council. She wore this dress to the gala that celebrated the Centenary in 1910. 

• TULLE, LACE, SEQUINS, SEED AND BUGLE BEADS

[ EN 833]

HE RED WEEK

On May 1st, 1909, an anarchist rally with slogans that advocated for better working conditions, was organized in Lorea square, in the city of Buenos Aires. The police viciously repressed workers, killing and wounding several of them. In response, the anarchist and socialist unions declared a strike, which garnered massive participation. On May 4th, the police opened fire on the people who were taking part in the funeral procession for the workers who had been killed. Twelve workers were killed that week.

• CARAS Y CARETAS MAGAZINE, May 15, 1909 NATIONAL CONGRESS LIBRARY

[ EN 834]

RAMON FALCÓN AND THE POLICÍA DE LA CAPITAL

During the first decade of the century, police action repressed workers' protests more and more. The Policía de la Capital [Capital City Police] utilized a model of saber known as “Ricchieri”, in reference to president Roca’s Minister of War, who requisitioned them from Germany and gave them to the different forces. 

Ramón Falcón, who was Police Chief during the Red Week, was present in the anarchist rally and ordered the attack. President Figueroa Alcorta confirmed him in his position once more. On November 14 of 1909, the anarchist Simón Radowitzky assassinated Falcón by throwing a bomb at his car. Martial law was declared; hundreds of union and leftist party leaders were arrested and their newspapers were closed. 

• CAVALRY SABER, 1898 MODEL, WEYERSBERG & KIRSCHBAUM, SOLINGEN, GERMANY. NICKEL STEEL AND BAKELITE

IRON SCABBARD

[ EN 835]

DE LA ARMONÍA MARKET, SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO

Argentina of the centenary had enormous regional contrasts. Even though the classic image of that moment was that of the material progress of Buenos Aires and of the Pampean region, other areas received few of the benefits of economic expansion. This photo of a market in Santiago del Estero in 1909 shows the mark of the peasant idiosyncrasy that was still very present in the country. The women who are the protagonists of the image wear a skirt and shawl, which some of them fastened around their heads to protect themselves from the sun. The market still exists today, in a more recent building.

• PHOTOGRAPH

[ EN 836]

CELEBRATIONS OF THE CENTENARY IN PLAZA DE MAYO

In Buenos Aires, the celebration of the Centenary included military parades, international warship maneuvers and demonstrations, lavish receptions for guests–among them, the Infanta of Spain and french politician Georges Clemenceau–, galas, fairs and sporting events, such as the first south american football championship (which Argentina won). In the Plaza de Mayo square, there were salutations to distinguished visitors, like Pedro Montt, President of Chile, and people who congregated to watch the lights at night.

• ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 837]

LAS RANAS NEIGHBORHOOD, CITY OF BUENOS AIRES

Argentina of the Centenary held enormous social contrasts. In the city of Buenos Aires, a slum formed in the place where trash was incinerated, behind the current neighborhood of Parque Parricios. The people who went there to scavenge for things started building shacks with wood, zinc and tins that they found there. As the terrain was prone to flooding, pools and puddles formed and frogs abounded: that’s where the neighborhood got its name of Las Ranas [The Frogs]. It was also called Barrio de las Latas [the Tin Neighborhood], in reference to the ones being used to build homes.

• HARRY GRANT OLDS, 1901. CIFHA

[ EN 838]

SCHOOL CELEBRATION IN CAÑADA DE GÓMEZ, SANTA FE

The commemoration of patriotic dates and holidays in schools, which were aimed at consolidating a national identity, became very important in the time of the Centenary throughout the country. The picture portrays the inauguration of a monument dedicated to July 9, Argentina’s Independence Day, at the General San Martín School, one of the first national Normal Schools founded in the province of Santa Fe. The creation of Normal Schools was meant to train new teachers in a period when the public school system was being expanded.

• ANTONIO VADELL, 1910. PHOTOGRAPH

[ EN 839]

LIGHTS OF THE CENTENARY

The original negative was retouched, a very commonplace practice at the time.

• JUAN CUNILL, 1910. LARIVIÈRE FOUNDATION

[ EN 840]

PLAQUE FOR THE OPENING OF THE TEATRO COLÓN

On May 25 of 1908, the new building of the Teatro Colón was inaugurated, to give Buenos Aires an international level opera house.

• ERNESTO DE LA CÁRCOVA, 1908. PLATED BRONZE

[ EN 841]

PLAQUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION, BUENOS AIRES

It was created by renowned Argentine artist Ernesto de la Cárcova. It belonged to the painter José A. Terry, and was donated to the museum by his family.

• ERNESTO DE LA CÁRCOVA, 1910. PLATED BRONZE

[ EN 842]

MEDALS FOR THE CENTENARY OF THE MAY REVOLUTION

To celebrate the Centenary, more than 1600 medals representing different towns and institutions were minted. These are some of the most relevant.

• JUAN GOTTUZZO Y CÍA., BUENOS AIRES, 1910. COPPER

[ EN 843]

• HIPPOLYTE LEFÈBVRE. BRONZE

[ EN 844]

PATRICIAS ARGENTINAS’ MEDALS

For the Centenary, the Asociación de Patricias Argentinas [Association of Argentinian Patrician Ladies] had medals minted to pay homage to 38 women who participated in the Revolution. Many of the portraits that can be seen in them belong to this museum’s collection. Additionally, the Association edited a book with the biographies of these women, written by Adolfo P. Carranza, this institution's first Director.

• MEDAL OF BERNARDINA CHAVARRIA DE VIAMONTE. CONSTANTE Y ALBERTO ROSSI. BRONZE

• MEDAL OF MARÍA SÁNCHEZ DE THOMPSON. CONSTANTE Y ALBERTO ROSSI. BRONZE
• MEDAL OF DE ISABEL CALVIMONTES DE AGRELO. CONSTANTE Y ALBERTO ROSSI. BRONZE

• MEDAL OF JUANA AZURDUY. CONSTANTE Y ALBERTO ROSSI. BRONZE

[ EN 845]

MEDAL OF THE PATRIOTIC COMMISSION

This medal shows the slave Ventura, who obtained his freedom for denouncing the counter-revolutionary conspiracy that Álzaga was planning in 1812.

• CONSTANTE Y ALBERTO ROSSI. NON-FERROUS SILVER-COLORED METAL

[ EN 846]

• CIGAR BOX, MATCHBOX AND BROOCH WITH A PORTRAIT OF GREGORIO DE LAS HERAS. SILVER GOLD PLATED SILVER (BROOCH)

[ EN 847]

 FOLDABLE PHOTO ALBUMS

The type of photo album in the shape of an accordion is known as leporello. These ones showcase the portraits of Mariano Moreno, Bernardino Rivadavia and Manuel Belgrano. An embossed version of the painting La Revista de Rancagua, by Juan Manuel Blanes, which is displayed in this museum, can also be seen.

• METAL AND PAPER

[ EN 848]

• THIMBLE WITH PORTRAIT OF GREGORIO ARAÓZ DE LAMADRID. METAL

[ EN 849]

PENCIL HOLDER FOR CARPENTER PENCIL

On one side, the case is embossed with the painting La Revista de Rancagua, by Blanes, and on the other side the inscription “Centenario - 1910” [Centenary - 1910] can be read. 

• METAL, WOOD AND GRAPHITE

[ EN 850]

• BROOCHES AND PENDANT. ENAMELED BRONZE

• SILVER COLORED METAL WITH GOLD PLATING

• Brooch with seal and palm trees “1810 CENTENARIO 1910”. METAL WITH GOLD PLATING

[ EN 851]

THE CENTENARY’S MEMORABILIA

Patriotic fervor for the Centenary was accompanied with the circulation of a great deal of commemorative objects. The memorabilia of 1910 was, in part, an initiative of the State, that had coins, medals, and plaques minted, but private citizens also participated. Many companies cashed in on the demand generated by the celebration and fabricated pieces for mass use that contained images of national symbols or of events and characters from national history that were deemed worthy of an homage. Varied types of objects were commercialized. Some were decorative, others for everyday use, they were of diverse qualities and destined to different consumers. As such, tableware, jewelry, handkerchiefs, thimbles, cigar boxes and cigars, matchboxes, piggy banks, paperweights, envelopes and postcards, among many others were available.

• COMMEMORATIVE HANDKERCHIEF OF THE CENTENARY. COTTON WEAVE EMBROIDERED WITH SILK THREAD

• HANDKERCHIEF OF THE CENTENARY WITH PORTRAIT OF SAN MARTÍN. COTTON WEAVE AND INK

• HANDKERCHIEF WITH IMAGE OF INFANTA ISABEL’S VISIT. COTTON WEAVE AND INK

• HANDKERCHIEF OF THE CENTENARY WITH NATIONAL SEAL. COTTON WEAVE WITH SILK THREAD EMBROIDERY

• HANDKERCHIEF OF THE CENTENARY WITH NATIONAL SEAL. COTTON WEAVE WITH INKED PRINT

• FLAG FABRICATED FOR THE CENTENARY. COTTON WEAVE, INK, WOOD, METAL

• FLAG FABRICATED FOR THE CENTENARY. RUBBERIZED COTTON WEAVE, INK, WOOD

• BOX WITH PAPERS AND ENVELOPES. On the box, the Primera Junta is portrayed, the papers are stamped with an image of San Martin’s daguerreotype, which is kept in this museum. PAPER, CARDBOARD, INK

• CONGRESO BRAND CIGARETTE PACKET. PAPER, CARDBOARD, TOBACCO

• PAPERWEIGHT WITH IMAGE OF THE MONUMENT TO GENERAL BELGRANO. GLASS AND PRINTED PAPER

• PAPERWEIGHT WITH IMAGE OF PLAZA DE MAYO. To the left, the building of the Cabildo [Townhall] can be seen without its tower or arches that were demolished to construct the Avenida de Mayo. GLASS AND PRINTED PAPER

• ALBUM SOUVENIR OF THE CENTENARY 25 OF MAY OF 1910, CAÑADA DE GÓMEZ, SANTA FE. ANTONIO VADELL, 1910. BOOK CLOTH, METAL, PHOTOGRAPHS AND PAPER

• TAMBOURINE WITH IMAGE OF PLAZA DE MAYO. PARCHMENT PAPER, METAL, FABRIC, WATERCOLOR AND WOOD

• COMMEMORATIVE POSTCARD OF THE CENTENARY. PAPER WITH MECHANICAL PRINTING AND COLOR INK

• CIGARETTE PACKET OF THE CENTENARY. Álvarez y Cía tobacco company created the Centenario [Centenary] cigarette brand. The packets have portraits of illustrious men and women of the May Revolution and from the 19th century. PAPER WITH MECHANICAL PRINTING

• MATCHBOX WITH PUBLIC POLICY SLOGANS. For the Centenary, the Compañía General de Fósforos decorated the packets of its brand, Victoria, with pictures of monuments from several cities. It also launched an awareness campaign, coordinated with government policy, about matters of public health and education. The boxes had slogans elaborated by the Consejo Nacional de Educación [National Education Council] and the Secretaría de Asistencia Pública de la Intendencia de Buenos Aires [Public Assistance Secretariat of Buenos Aires] and were meant to stimulate primary education in adults and promote vaccination against smallpox. CARDBOARD AND PRINTED PAPER

• JAR WITH THE SEAL OF THE PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES. ENAMELED METAL

• MATE. Two female figures who represent Spain and Argentina can be seen, with the inscription “1810 – MOTHER AND DAUGHTER – 1910”. GOURD AND SILVER

• DRINKING GLASS WITH PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SAN MARTÍN. PAINTED GLASS

• CUP AND SAUCER WITH PORTRAIT OF GENERAL SAN MARTÍN. ENAMELED PORCELAIN

• PIGGY BANK WITH THE PHRASE “MEMENTO OF THE CENTENARY”. SILVER

[ EN 852]

BALLOT BOX USED IN THE 1916 ELECTION, SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO

There was no direct vote to elect a President, but electors for each province. The number of electors depended on each province’s population. The party that won the most votes got 2/3 of electors, and the second, 1/3. After, the Electoral College gathered and they designated a president and vice president. The electors could make alliances and even choose a candidate from another party. The Electoral College existed in Argentina until the constitutional reform of 1994. Each presidency lasted 6 years and there was no re-election.

This ballot box was used in Santiago del Estero, where the UCR beat the conservatives by only 4 votes. The Radicalists gained 10 electors and the conservatives, 4.

• CEDAR WOOD ASSEMBLED WITH METALLIC MESH AND SEALING WAX WITH PROVINCIAL SEAL

[ EN 853]

• RADICALIST PROTEST, MARCH 1922. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 854]

PORTRAIT OF HIPÓLITO YRIGOYEN

Yrigoyen developed a particular leadership style. He gave no speeches and made no public appearances. He preferred individual, private chats and received followers as well as opposers in his own home. This type of leadership was complemented with an austere image, which gained him the support of many.

This portrait was made for his second presidency, by artist Emilia Bertolé, who after the 1930 coup was excluded from commissions and other work, as well as other radicalists.

• EMILIA BERTOLÉ, 1928. OIL ON CANVAS

[ EN 855]

MEDALS OF THE YRIGOYEN-LUNA RADICALIST TICKET AND OF THE CONSERVATIVE MARCELINO UGARTE

In the 1916 election, Yrigoyen got 47,5% of the votes, but he didn’t get the majority of electors. It seemed possible that, in the Electoral College an alliance between progressive democrats, conservatives and dissident radicalists had formed with the goal of imposing a different candidate: the Governor of Buenos Aires, Marcelino Ugarte, a conservative. But finally, the 19 dissident radicalists of Santa Fe chose Yrigoyen. Pelagio Luna, from La Rioja, was his vice president.

• YRIGOYEN-LUNA MEDAL JUAN GOTTUZZO Y CÍA. SILVER
• MEDAL OF THE INAUGURATION OF MARCELINO UGARTE AS GOVERNOR, 1913. CONSTANTE Y ALBERTO ROSSI. BRONZE

[ EN 856]

 UNIVERSITY REFORM

In march 1918 a student movement was initiated to democratize the University of Córdoba, which was subject to intervention by Yrigoyen’s government two months later. Then, the institution came under management by professors and students, and voluntary assistance and independent teaching were imposed. In October, students and professors chose a new dean. Their example was followed by other argentinian universities in the following years and it also had an impact in other countries in America.

• STUDENTS HOISTING UP THE REFORMIST FLAG DURING THE TAKEOVER OF THE RECTORATE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF CÓRDOBA, 9-10-1918. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 857]

PORTRAIT OF MARCELO TORCUATO DE ALVEAR

Alvear belonged to an aristocratic family and had been an active radicalist since the party’s origins. In 1922 he was elected President with Yrigoyen’s support. The crisis caused by World War I ended and that benefited the national economy: the real salary went up and the number of strikes went down.

In 1924, Radicalism split in two: the “anti-personalists” opposed those who were partial to Yrigoyen. Alvear did not intervene in that dispute, despite being pressured by his anti-personalist ministers.

• RICARDO LÓPEZ CABRERA, 1923. OIL ON CANVAS

[ EN 858]

PORTRAIT OF HIPÓLITO YRIGOYEN

The great popularity of Yrigoyen was proven once more in 1928, when his second presidential run obtained more than 61% of the vote.

This portrait was painted by Eric Pape, for the U.S. paper New York Herald Tribune of april, 1930. The piece was titled “President Irigoyen, Argentina’s silent man”.

• ERIC PAPE, 1930. CRAYON ON PAPER

[ EN 859]

ID CARD OF RADICALIST LIBRARY “ADELANTE LOS QUE QUEDAN” 

Radicalist committees were key to the party’s popularity. They were political headquarters and they also sold cheap bread and meat, apart from offering learning support classes and other services. Some committees had libraries.

“Adelante los que quedan” [“Those left, step forth”] is one of the phrases left by Leandro Alem, founder of Radicalism, before he committed suicide in 1896.

• CARDBOARD, PAPER AND PHOTOGRAPH

[ EN 860]

 ÁNGEL GALLARDO’S CONDECORATIONS

Ángel Gallardo, renowned promoter of the natural sciences, was a radicalist militant in the party’s beginnings. He was also an active anti-comunist, and he was part of the rightist Liga Patriótica [Patriotic League]. During Alvear’s administration, he was Foreign Affairs minister and participated in the drafting of the Borders Treaty of Argentina and Bolivia, of 1925.

• KNIGHT OF THE GREAT CROSS OF THE ORDER OF THE SAINTS MAURICIO AND LAZARO OF ITALY CONDECORATION, 1927
• GREAT OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE CÓNDOR OF THE ANDES OF BOLIVIA CONDECORATION, 1929. METAL AND ENAMEL

[ EN 861]

 THE LENCINAS 

“The Gaucho” José Néstor Lencinas (radicalist) was elected governor of Mendoza in 1918 and implemented a reforms program. He was at odds with Yrigoyen, who imposed an intervention on the province the next year. When a new election was held in 1922, his son, Carlos W. Lencinas won and continued making changes until another intervention came, this time from Alvear.

The trowel and cigar box belonged to José N. Lencinas.

• TROWEL FOR THE COLLOCATION OF THE CORNERSTONE OF THE MONUMENT TO THE LUPA ROMANA [CAPITOLINE WOLF], MENDOZA, 20-09-1918

WOOD AND METAL

• CIGAR BOX. OAK, MAHOGANY AND BRONZE

[ EN 862]

SOCIAL REFORMS IN MENDOZA AND SAN JUAN

“Anti-personalist” radicalism opposed Yrigoyen’s leadership, but didn’t have any other common ground: there were groups who were akin to conservatism and others who, on the contrary, launched deep social reforms, This was the case of “lencinism” in Mendoza, spearheaded by the Lencinas, and the “bloquismo” in San Juan, led by the Cantoni brothers. The two movements claimed they represented the alpargata, the more popular footwear at the time, against the necktie of the elites. They created labor laws, established the 8 hour work day and bettered health and housing conditions for the poor. Furthermore, San Juan established the female vote in 1927. Both parties prevailed in the elections of the 1920s, despite suffering federal interventions.

• FEDERICO CANTONI GIVING A SPEECH AT A POLITICAL RALLY, MARCH 1928. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 863]

HEYDAY AND DECLINE OF THE FEDERACIÓN OBRERA MARÍTIMA (FOM) 

The syndicate of maritime workers held considerable importance and was conducted by the revolutionary branch of syndicalism. In 1916 a cycle of worker struggles began, which resulted in a great strike against the main naval company in the country, the Mihanovich Company, in 1920. The strike lasted over a year, the government got involved and the FOM triumphed. A short while after, the syndicate declared another strike, but this time, the company won, as it received government support, in the way of the repression of workers at the hand of the state. The FOM was weakened.

This affiliation card from 1917 belonged to Damián Silva.

• CARDBOARD LINED WITH FABRIC AND PAPER
• THE COLUMN OF THE FOM HEADS TO A GATHERING IN BUENOS AIRES, MAY 1ST 1926. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 864]

THE FEDERACIÓN OBRERA FERROVIARIA (FOF) 

In 1917 and 1918 railway workers, organized in the Fraternity and the FOF, carried out a series of strikes which led to the first general strike of the sector, which paralyzed export trade for 24 days. Negotiations with the radicalist government culminated in labor regulations which included some of the demands, such as rest days and a pension system. The railroad companies obeyed the regulations, but shifted the costs to the fares.

The statute regulated the central aspects of the FOF’s functioning.

• CARDBOARD AND PAPER

[ EN 865]

 THE MASSACRE OF LA FORESTAL

La Forestal, a company owned by English capital, exploited the forests in Chaco and the north of Santa Fe. In 1919, workers created a syndicate to ask for a pay raise, an 8 hour work day (they worked 12) and to stop getting paid in tokens that could only be used in the company’s stores. Following a series of strikes, La Forestal accepted their terms but didn’t honor them and the strike was restarted. In 1921, a rapid response police unit from Santa Fe financed by the company, murdered more than 500 workers.

In this picture, La Forestal workers are having a syndicate gathering, it reads “Picnic of the 28th of November of 1920, in La Gallareta”. Standing to the right and wearing suspenders, anarchist leader Liborio Méndez can be seen.

• PHOTOGRAPH

[ EN 866]

THE TRAGIC WEEK

At the end of 1918, a strike began at Talleres Metalurgicos Vasena [Vasena Metalworks], in the city of Buenos Aires, demanding better salaries, paid sundays off and reduction of the workday from 11 to 8 hours. On january 7th 1919, 4 strikers were killed by police. A great multitude joined the funeral procession. The police opened fire on them, leaving 40 dead. The workers unions called for a general strike, but the military, police and armed civilians unleashed a repression that caused around 700 dead and 2000 wounded.

• MEDAL OF THE PEDRO VASENA AND SONS ARGENTINE IRON AND STEEL COMPANY. GOTTUZZO Y PIANA, 1920. BRONZE
• PHOTO OF THE FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR THE VICTIMS OF POLICE REPRESSION AT VASENA. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 867]

THE ARGENTINE PATRIOTIC LEAGUE

In 1919 a far-right association was formed, which grouped the members of the elites with the goal to fight “maximalism” (both anarchism and communism). The Patriotic League joined the police and the army in the repression of the protests held during the Tragic Week, in which it also carried out violent attacks against the jewish community of Buenos Aires, which it accused of wanting to establish a soviet, like the ones in Russia.

The league had brigades throughout the country, organized according to territorial, professional and gender criteria. It came to accrue around 12,000 members.

This is a medal of the Córdoba Reduction Brigade of the Argentine Patriotic League.

• GOTTUZZO Y PIANA. BRONZE

[ EN 868]

 THE REBELLIOUS PATAGONIA

Between 1921 and 1922, rural workers organized around the Sociedad Obrera de Río Gallegos [Worker’s Society of Río Gallegos] held a strike in the national territory of Santa Cruz. They demanded better labor and living conditions, as well as the 8 hour workday. The movement was brutally repressed by the National Army, and the Asociación del Trabajo [Work Association], which gathered the large landowners of the region. Approximately 1500 workers were executed.

• A WORKERS COLUMN CELEBRATES MAY 1ST IN THE SANTA CRUZ HARBOR, 1921
• THE POLICE AND THE ARMY GUARD RURAL WORKERS IMPRISONED AT THE SAN JULIÁN POLICE STATION IN SANTA CRUZ, 1922. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 869]

 AN INDIGENOUS DELEGATION THAT MET WITH YRIGOYEN

The indigenous population of the territories occupied by the Army was left in a rather marginalized situation. Those who had access to land and founded colonies faced the difficulty of obtaining a definitive deed over them and suffered pressure from other landowners. Many were evicted. In July 1920, representatives of different indigenous peoples and colonies held a meeting with Yrigoyen to reclaim their rights over their land. The following month, the Asociación Nacional del Aborigen [National Aboriginal Foundation] was created. 

ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 870]

MAP OF THE NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL TERRITORIES

The occupation of Gran Chaco by the Argentine State was an extensive process which would last up to the 1930s. The military advance was complemented with a colonization plan to exploit the agricultural and livestock production of the new territories. Also, from 1910 on, a project was put into work that formed indigenous reductions to “discipline” the defeated populations and incorporate them into the regional economy as cheap labor.

Museo Histórico Nacional Collection (upscaled)

[ EN 871]

MAP OF THE NATIONAL TERRITORIES OF THE SOUTH

Patagonia kept being a sparsely occupied territory, with an economy based on large cattle ranches, or “estancias”, dedicated to sheep. The effective presence of the State was very fragile, which was made apparent in the deficient health and education systems and in issues with the administration of justice. The distance from central power facilitated that groups of large landowners and businessmen acted autonomously and established themselves as the main source of authority at the local level.

Museo Histórico Nacional Collection (upscaled)

[ EN 872]

NAPALPÍ MASSACRE

In may 1924, a strike began at the Napalpí reduction, in Chaco. The Qom, Moqoit and Vilela people who resided there, took refuge in the woodland, as a form of protest for their labor conditions and against the prohibition to move freely. The governor reported a suspected indigenous uprising and ordered a repression. Police and civilians set fire to the reduction and stabbed those who came out of the woodland. At least 200 people were killed then, and many more in the following days.

These objects were fabricated by the peoples of Gran Chaco.

• PIPE. WOOD AND CANE
• MOUTHPIECE. WOOD

[ EN 873]

COUP D’ETAT OF 1930

On september 6, 1930, a small military column supported by armed civilians, overthrew President Yrigoyen, with almost no resistance.

ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 874]

JOSÉ FÉLIX URIBURU’S HELMET

Uriburu, a retired general, spearheaded the movement against Yrigoyen in 1930 and became provisional president of the country until February of 1932. The coup gathered scarce supporters in the Army, but counted with the endorsement of the conservatives, a large part of the press, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and university students, apart from right-wing nationalist groups. The latter would become Uriburu’s main backing in his project to transform the political and institutional structure of the country, through constitutional reform. But this stance failed in the end.

Uriburu wore this helmet when he commanded the 8th Cavalry Regiment “Cazadores General Necochea”, between 1905 and 1907. This style of helmet fell in disuse from 1924.

• LEATHER, SILK GROSGRAIN, AND BRONZE

[ EN 875]

 THE ERA OF RADIO

Technical advances, cheaper costs and the professionalization of transmissions in the 30s ushered in the golden age of radio, which would last until the 1960s. Entire families gathered around these devices to access new forms of entertainment and listen to music, but also to inform themselves about the national and international news. Uriburu’s speeches after the 1930 coup were broadcast through the radio.

• WOOD, METAL, TEXTILE, GLASS, PLASTIC

[ EN 876]

JOSÉ FÉLIX DE URIBURU’S UNIFORM

Uriburu’s project—inspired by the European new right—was to replace the representative system centered upon the individual and the political parties with another one, based on corporations that constituted society, such as the Army and syndicates. But the majority sector of those who’d supported the coup, led by retired general Agustín P. Justo, rejected that plan. Justo pushed for a rapid return to institutional normalcy. Defeated, Uriburu found himself forced to call elections in 1931 and Justo was elected President.

• UNIFORM. WOOL CLOTH, SILK GROSGRAIN, SEQUINS AND METAL ORNAMENTS
• CAP. WOOL CLOTH, LEATHER, METALLIC THREAD AND SEQUINS
• BOOTS. LEATHER, METAL, ELASTIC AND RIBBON

[ EN 877]

CLOAK AND BOOTS THAT BELONGED TO JOSÉ FÉLIX URIBURU

Uriburu’s project—inspired by the European new right—was to replace the representative system centered upon the individual and the political parties with another one, based on corporations that constituted society, such as the Army and syndicates. But the majority sector of those who’d supported the coup, led by retired general Agustín P. Justo, rejected that plan. Justo pushed for a rapid return to institutional normalcy. Defeated, Uriburu found himself forced to call elections in 1931 and Justo was elected President.

• CLOAK. WOOL CLOTH, METAL, SILK AND METALLIC THREAD
• BOOTS. LEATHER, METAL, ELASTIC AND RIBBON

[ EN 878]

AGUSTÍN P. JUSTO, LEADER OF THE CONCORDANCE

A main figure of the decade and president between 1932 and 1938, Justo kept his leadership in the army and carried weight within the Concordancia [Concordance], where he acted as mediator among the forces that conformed it. Justo´s administration favored commercial relationships with the british—who, because of the crisis, had closed their markets off to those who weren’t part of the empire—and he made an trade agreement with them to continue exporting meat, but the treaty received criticisms because of its disadvantageous conditions for Argentina.

• PHOTOGRAPH. CONDECORATION OF THE GREAT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, AWARDED TO JUSTO. METAL AND ENAMEL

[ EN 879]

MARCELINO ORTIZ’S PRESIDENTIAL SASH

In 1932, after massive fraud, the Ortiz-Castillo incumbent ticket won over the radicalist candidates. Ortiz’s affiliation to anti-personalism, the weakest sector of the governing coalition, made him dependent on Justo´s support.

Nevertheless, Ortiz had a surprising policy which aimed to return to cleaner electoral practices, for which he intervened in four provinces and annulled fraudulent elections there. Health problems limited his plan, and he had to relinquish his position to the vice president. He died in 1942.  

• SILKGROS, METALLIC AND SILK THREAD

[ EN 880]

AGUSTÍN P. JUSTO’S PRESIDENTIAL SASH

Justo managed a certain balance within the Concordance. To that aim, he had to favor anti-personalism, which carried less electoral weight than the conservatives. His successor, Marcelino Ortiz, was an anti-personalist and that made him dependent on Justo, who secured a win through massive fraud in 1937. Ortiz tried to carry out reforms to make elections cleaner, a process which was truncated by his death. Justo planned to return to the presidency, but he also died, in 1934.

• SILKGROS, SEQUINS AND METALLIC THREAD

[ EN 881]

 ARGENTINA’S FIRST FEMALE LEGISLATOR

Emar Acosta was born in La Rioja and studied law at the University of Buenos Aires. She established herself in San Juan, where in 1927, the blockist UCR enabled female suffrage. In 1934, Acosta was elected as provincial deputy for the National Democratic Party, becoming one of the first legislators in Latin America, along with brazilian Carlota Pereira de Queirós. Acosta fought for better working conditions, defended secular education and the protection of maternity and childhood.

• ACOSTA BEING SWORN IN AS CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER IN SAN JUAN, 1927. ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 882]

UNEMPLOYMENT VILLE

The economic depression of the 30s had a strong impact on the living conditions of the population: unemployment rose and the real salary fell. In the cities, precarious settlements formed, occupied mostly by the unemployed. One was named “Villa Desocupación” [“Unemployment ville”], which appeared in 1932 between the New Harbor and Palermo, in Buenos Aires. With time, these settlements multiplied as a result of the arrival of internal migrants who went to the cities to work in the new industries.

ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN

[ EN 883]

MALTESE CROSS AWARDED TO CAPTAIN JOSÉ PIPET FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE COUP OF 1930

Among the military, support for the 1930 coup was partial. Justo’s leadership maintained the army’s liberal-professionalist manner, with his distance with regards to direct political practices. But, in parallel, the circulation of nationalist antiliberal and authoritarian ideas grew among the officers. Following Justo’s death, in 1943, a group of young officers with a new vision regarding national politics and the role the Army had to play in them rose through the ranks.

• METAL, TEXTILES, CARDBOARD AND SILK

[ EN 884]

 THE BOLSTERING OF THE CHURCH

After supporting the 1930 coup, the Church strengthened its relationship with the Army and Justo’s government. The institution wanted to leave the secondary role that it had been relegated to by 19th century liberalism, and become preeminent in the 

“catholic nation” it believed was to be founded. The archbishop of Buenos Aires, Santiago Copello, had a central role in the ecclesiastical advancement, for which the organization of the International Eucharistic Congress of 1934 was fundamental. It was a massive event which took place in the nation’s capital, attended by President Justo and Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII.

• MEDAL IN HOMAGE TO THE FIRST ARGENTINE CARDINAL, SANTIAGO COPELLO, DECEMBER 19, 1935. NON-FERROUS METAL
• SASH OF THE INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, 1934. COTTON WEAVE AND METALLIC HOOK

[ EN 885]

STATE INTERVENTION IN THE ECONOMY

As in other countries, in Argentina the world crisis of the 30s increased state interference in the economy. The new actions taken by the State were aimed at complementing the agro-exporter system with a fledgling import substitution industrialization process. At the same time, Justo’s government advanced the state controlled fuel market. The YPF oil company, founded in 1922 by radicalist governments, had an important development in the 30s. The Central Bank was also created and there was a great display of constructions of public works throughout the entire territory, and investment in services to consolidate the domestic market. It was thought that these policies would dynamize an economy in depression and create jobs.

• TROWEL USED IN LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF THE PHTHISIOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER, GIFTED TO JUSTO, 30-11-1937. METAL AND IVORY
• TROWEL USED IN LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF THE YPF DISTILLERY IN SAN LORENZO, GIFTED TO JUSTO, 20-10-1936. METAL Y MARFIL
• TROWEL COMMEMORATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAN FERNANDO NORMAL SCHOOL, GIFTED TO JUSTO, 20-10-1936. SILVER

• TROWEL USED IN LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF THE CHILDREN'S WING IN THE SAN LUIS CHARITY HOSPITAL, GIFTED TO JUSTO BY THE SOCIETY OF BENEFICENCE TO ANA BERNAL DE JUSTO,  23-4-1937. SILVER AND IVORY
• TROWEL USED IN LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF THE NAVAL MILITARY ACADEMY, 8-2-1938. PLATED METAL AND WOOD

• TROWEL USED IN LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF THE BUILDING OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, 22-7-1937. SILVER
• PLUMB BOB COMMEMORATING THE INITIATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW RIACHUELO BRIDGE, 29-1-1937. SILVER

[ EN 886]

THE FIRST ARGENTINE NOBEL PRIZE 

Carlos Saavedra Lamas was the minister of Foreign Affairs during Justo’s government, in a context of growing international conflicts. He definitely made the country part of the Society of Nations and had a key role in ending the Chaco war, in which Bolivia and Paraguay faced off. That earned him a Nobel peace prize in 1936. In 1940, he wrote this text for the Argentine-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, about the need for a greater economic union in America in 1940.

• Saavedra Lamas signed this copy for Federico Pinedo in January 1941. PAPER, INK, CARDBOARD

[ EN 887]

PINEDO’S ECONOMIC PLANS

The challenges of the 30s gave a place of privilege to a group of technicians: economists. One of them was Federico Pinedo, Minister of Finance between 1933 and 1935, who wanted to continue with the agro-export model but promoted state intervention to support industrial development and investment in public works as a way to re-activate the economy. Once elected as minister again in 1940, he presented a re-activation project which furthered his previous stances: the “Pinedo Plan”. But Congress rejected it and it was not put in practice.

• FEDERICO PINEDO, ANNOTATIONS ON A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN, 1934. MECANOGRAPHED PAPER.
• PARKER BRAND PEN WITH ENGRAVING OF THE INITIALS “FP”. PLASTIC, METAL AND GOLD PLATING

[ EN 888]

BATON USED BY THE CAPITAL’S POLICE

A large part of the state repression during this period fell upon militants of the Communist Party, which grew among syndicalism during the 30s. It’s participation in several strike cycles after 1932, in addition to the rise of communism on the international level, resulted in the government focusing on combating the advance of the “red tide”. Great part of this task was carried out by police institutions, where a Special Section for the Repression of Communism was created.

• This baton was used during 1935-1943. CEDAR WOOD AND LEATHER

[ EN 889]

MASK OF MARCELO T. DE ALVEAR

The 1930 coup deepened the internal divisions that radicalism had been dragging on from before. Anti-personalism was part of the new ruling force, but most of the party remained as opposition. Alvear, who on a first instance justified the coup against Yrigoyen, later made peace with him before his death in 1933. Alvear tried to join the different forces within the party amidst governmental fraud, persecutions and attempts at armed uprisings from various radicalists. In 1933, he had to go into exile.

• This mask was made by German artist Hedwig Woermann, who met Alvear on the Cap Arcona cruise ship, in 1932. HEDWIG WOERMANN, 1936. TERRACOTTA

[ EN 890]

MEDAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

The Civil Alliance, also called Democratic Alliance, got second place in the 1931 election, with Lisandro de la Torre’s candidacy, who was the leader of PDP and had support from socialism. In the following years, both parties managed to install several representatives in congress, and the PDP even won the province of Santa Fe. But the return of radicalism to the electoral contest and the increase in government fraud it brought along, resulted in a decline of its electoral relevance.

• The presidential candidates can be seen in this medal from 1931. SILVER

[ EN 891]

NÉCESSAIRE THAT BELONGED TO NICOLÁS REPETTO

Repetto was one of the main leaders of the Socialist Party and was the Civil Alliance’s candidate for vice president in 1931. Socialism had divided some years before: the sector called Independent Socialist Party joined the Concordance and was part of the ruling force during the decade. The PS, instead, remained as opposition. In 1937 Repetto was the party’s candidate for President and got third place, with few votes.

• THE INITIALS “N.R.” ARE ENGRAVED ON THE FRONT. THE CLASP HAS THE INSCRIPTION “TUCK-TITE/USA PAT----/WORLDS PATS/GERMANY”. LEATHER AND METAL

[ EN 892]

BRACELET WITH THE SPANISH REPUBLICAN COLORS WORN IN ARGENTINA

The Spanish civil war, which took place in Spain between 1936 and 1939, had a great impact that went further than the Spanish collectivity who resided in Argentina. Catholic and Argentine nationalist groups supported the “nationalist” side—commanded by general Francisco Franco—who had rebelled, while many party and syndicate supporters, as well as university students, organized committees and assemblies to raise funds for the republican side.

• CELLULOSIC FIBER WEAVE AND ELASTIC

[ EN 893]

POSTER FOR RADICALISTS ALVEAR-MOSCA FOR THE 1937 ELECTION

In 1935 radicalism decided to return to the electoral contest. Some minority sectors in the party, such as the FORJA group, were opposed to participating in the system that was controlled by the Concordance. The ballot topped by Alvear competed in the presidential run of 1937, in which the ruling force committed fraud on a national scale and made Ortiz, its candidate, the winner. Radicalism was left immersed in internal conflicts, which would intensify with Alvear’s death in 1942.

• POSTER FOR THE UCR’S PRESIDENTIAL TICKET, 1937. ARCHIVO SAAVEDRA

[ EN 894]

VICE PRESIDENT RAMÓN CASTILLO’S INKPOT

Vice President Castillo held the presidency provisionally in 1940, and definitively in 1942, when Ortiz died. Hailing from conservative roots, he quickly set aside his predecessor’s attempts at reform: he resorted to electoral fraud and the intervention of provinces once more. The ruling bloc split and Castillo distanced himself from Justo, after which he sought support in nationalist sectors of the Army, granting promotions to officers who, in 1943, would become the ones to overthrow him.

• BROCATELLE MARBLE, BRONZE AND GLASS

[ EN 895]

CRAFTS MADE BY COMMUNIST PRISONERS IN 1943

The new military government thought it necessary to stop the advance of communism in the country. As soon as it took power, it launched a fierce repression against the Argentine Communist Party, closing its publications, intervening syndicates and incarcerating its main leaders.

These crafts, which acted as penholders, were made in prison and they have the inscriptions “Dolores prison”, “Villa Devoto”, “To Our guide”, “V. Cordovilla” (the name of the party leader) and “Stalingrad” (the decisive soviet victory over the germans in 1943).

•  CELLULOSIC FIBER MACRAME

[ EN 896]

 POSTER WITH ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING THE ALLIED VICTORY

Among liberal and left wing political sectors, there was activism in favor of the allied cause and Acción Argentina [Argentine Action]—in which radicalists, socialists and conservatives participated—was created in its support. The Communist Party acted in the same vein. And so did the Spanish republican collectivity, which, after being defeated in the Civil War, expected that the fall of fascism and nazism would also bring down Franco in Spain. Support also extended to the Spanish who fought for the Allies in the north of Africa.

• PRINTED MECHANICAL PAPER

[ EN 897]

THE 1943 COUP

On June 4th, a pro-coup column advanced from Campo de Mayo to Buenos Aires. There was a brief combat against loyal forces, which were dispelled.

ARCHIVO GENERAL DE LA NACIÓN