Argentina: History and Heritage

Colonial history of Argentina

Spanish colonists arrived in the 16th century, and for the next 200 years Argentina was part of the Spanish colonial empire, originally forming part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Buenos Aires emerged as an important port to rival Lima largely due to contrabanding and smuggling.

In 1806 Great Britain attempted to take over and invaded Buenos Aires. Without any Spanish military support, local Argentines fought against the British invasion and successfully drove them out. Independence was declared but not fully adopted until 1816. Argentina struggled for several years wrought with civil war and power disputes but eventually the burgeoning nation began to expand and grow, to slowly emerge as the modern nation you will see on your Argentina tour today.

European immigration was encouraged and campaigns were enacted to tame the wild uncolonized regions through what today might be considered genocide. Rugged pioneers, mostly of European immigrants, settled in the vast expanses of the pampas and Patagonia forming the huge estancias (ranches).

The Golden Age in Argentina’s history

Argentina enjoyed a Golden Age in the early 1900s, brought on by the exportation of its wealth of raw materials like meat, leather, wool, wheat and other crops. During your Buenos Aires sightseeing during your trip to Argentina, you will see the French belle-epoch mansions and elegant buildings that characterize the city’s architectural style. In the 1970s the military took power and led an extreme right-wing military dictatorship. In 1980 Argentina declared war against England over the Falkland Islands (called Malvinas) and suffered a scarring defeat, which is still felt today.

In the 1990s Argentina experienced a short-lived stabilization to hyperinflation led by president Carlos Menem, who encouraged free trade and privatized most industries. Recent years have seen a sharp divide between supporters and critics of the previous president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who was in office from 2007 – 2015, and the current president Mauricio Macri who was inaugurated in late 2015.

Evita

Argentina’s modern history is largely defined by illustrious figure of General Juan Domingo Peron and his wife and first lady Eva Peron, Evita.

Elected in 1946, Peron revolutionized the country, implementing many socialistic policies and labor reforms, ruling by populist style, many say was a watered down version of European fascism such as Mussolini’s Italy. You will find that, to this day, Peron is a figure of debate – some Argentineans are stalwart devotees while others credit Peron with ruining the country.

After Peron the country once again slid into power struggles and instability with several controversial leaders and coup d’etats.

The Enchanting Travels team look forward to helping you plan your private and tailor-made Argentina tour.