Argentina History Timeline

Argentina’s history is a rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, European colonization, struggles for independence, and the development of a modern nation-state. Located in South America, Argentina is known for its vast landscapes, diverse population, and turbulent political history. From the time of the pre-Columbian civilizations to the arrival of the Spanish, the rise of the Republic, and the 20th-century political upheavals, Argentina’s story is marked by significant social, political, and economic transformations. This timeline traces the major events in Argentina’s history, from its earliest inhabitants to the modern-day country we see today.

Pre-Columbian Argentina (Before 1536)

Indigenous Civilizations (circa 10,000 BCE – 1536 CE)

Before the arrival of European settlers, Argentina was home to a wide variety of indigenous groups:

• The northern region, especially in the Andes, was inhabited by peoples such as the Diaguita, who practiced agriculture and metallurgy.
• In the central and southern regions, nomadic hunter-gatherer groups such as the Mapuche and Tehuelche roamed the plains and forests.
• The Inca Empire extended its influence into northwestern Argentina, establishing control over some indigenous communities by the 15th century.

Early Trade and Interactions (1,000 CE – 1536 CE)

• Indigenous communities engaged in trade and cultural exchange with their neighbors, particularly with the Inca civilization.
• Complex systems of agriculture, irrigation, and architecture, similar to those in the rest of the Andes, were developed in parts of northwestern Argentina.

Spanish Colonization (1536 CE – 1810 CE)

First European Contact and Settlement (1536 CE – 1580 CE)

• The first European to arrive in what is now Argentina was Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516, but his expedition ended in disaster when he was killed by local inhabitants.
• The Spanish attempted to establish their first settlement in 1536, when Pedro de Mendoza founded the city of Buenos Aires. However, the settlement was abandoned five years later due to conflicts with indigenous peoples and food shortages.
• In 1580, Juan de Garay re-founded Buenos Aires, which eventually became a crucial Spanish colonial port.

The Viceroyalty of Peru and Regional Development (1580 CE – 1776 CE)

For much of the early colonial period, Argentina was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, with its economy heavily tied to the export of silver from the mines of Potosí:

• The city of Córdoba was founded in 1573, becoming a key cultural and religious center, with the University of Córdoba (1613) as a focal point for education and learning.
• Spanish settlers expanded into the Pampas, establishing estancias (ranches) to support cattle ranching, which became a significant part of Argentina’s economy.

The Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata (1776 CE – 1810 CE)

To better administer the vast territory of South America, the Spanish Crown established the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata in 1776, with its capital in Buenos Aires:

• The creation of the viceroyalty brought increased economic and political importance to Buenos Aires, which became a major center for trade and commerce.
• Buenos Aires became a hub for smuggling and trade, particularly through the export of cattle products like leather and tallow to Europe.

The Independence Movement (1810 CE – 1824 CE)

The May Revolution (1810 CE)

The May Revolution of 1810 was the first step toward Argentina’s independence from Spain:

• Following Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808 and the weakening of the Spanish monarchy, a movement for independence gained momentum in Buenos Aires.
• On May 25, 1810, the Primera Junta (First Government Junta) was established in Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of the Argentine War of Independence.

The Argentine War of Independence (1810 CE – 1824 CE)

For over a decade, Argentina waged a struggle for independence against Spanish forces:

• The revolutionary forces were led by key figures such as Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Castelli, and José de San Martín.
• In 1816, the Congress of Tucumán formally declared Argentina’s independence on July 9, 1816.
• San Martín, one of the greatest military leaders of the independence movement, led the famous Andean crossing to liberate Chile and later worked with Simón Bolívar to free Peru from Spanish rule.

Early Post-Independence Conflicts (1820 CE – 1852 CE)

After achieving independence, Argentina was plagued by internal conflicts between Unitarians, who favored a strong central government, and Federalists, who sought greater autonomy for the provinces:

• The Argentine Civil Wars broke out between these factions, leading to a prolonged period of political instability.
• Juan Manuel de Rosas, a Federalist leader, ruled Buenos Aires as a dictator from 1829 to 1852, but his authoritarian regime ended when he was defeated by an alliance of Unitarians and other provinces.

The Formation of the Argentine Republic (1853 CE – 1916 CE)

The Constitution of 1853 and National Unification

In 1853, a new Constitution was drafted, establishing the foundations of the Argentine Republic:

• The constitution was inspired by U.S. federalism, creating a federal system of government with Buenos Aires as the capital.
• The process of unification was completed in 1862 when Bartolomé Mitre became the first president of a unified Argentina.

Economic Expansion and Immigration (1860 CE – 1914 CE)

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by rapid economic growth, fueled by European immigration, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development:

• Argentina attracted millions of immigrants, particularly from Italy and Spain, drastically changing the demographics and culture of the country.
• Wheat and beef became major exports, with Argentina becoming one of the world’s leading agricultural producers.
• Railroads, ports, and cities grew rapidly during this period, leading to the modernization of Buenos Aires and other urban centers.

The Conquest of the Desert (1870 CE – 1884 CE)

The Argentine government, under Julio Argentino Roca, launched the Conquest of the Desert to expand the country’s control over Patagonia and the Pampas:

• This military campaign aimed to suppress indigenous groups, particularly the Mapuche, and open up new lands for European settlers and agriculture.
• While the campaign successfully expanded Argentina’s territory, it also led to the displacement and destruction of many indigenous communities.

Political Evolution and Rise of Populism (1916 CE – 1955 CE)

The Radical Party and Democratic Reforms (1916 CE – 1930 CE)

In 1916, the Radical Civic Union (UCR), led by Hipólito Yrigoyen, won the presidency, marking the first peaceful transfer of power in a democratic election:

• Yrigoyen implemented social reforms, including labor protections and efforts to improve the living conditions of the working class.
• Argentina remained neutral during World War I, benefiting economically by exporting agricultural products to Europe.
• However, by 1930, economic problems and political instability led to a military coup, marking the end of Yrigoyen’s presidency and ushering in a period of political instability.

The Infamous Decade and Military Rule (1930 CE – 1943 CE)

The 1930s in Argentina were known as the Infamous Decade due to widespread electoral fraud, corruption, and economic difficulties:

• The country experienced a series of military coups and authoritarian governments, which suppressed political opposition and civil liberties.
• Argentina was hit hard by the Great Depression, leading to high unemployment and social unrest.

World War II and the Rise of Juan Perón (1943 CE – 1946 CE)

During World War II, Argentina maintained a policy of neutrality, although it faced pressure from both the Allied and Axis powers to join their respective sides:

• In 1943, a military coup brought Juan Domingo Perón to power as the Minister of Labor, where he gained popularity for his support of workers’ rights and labor unions.
• Perón’s charisma and alliance with labor unions propelled him to victory in the 1946 presidential election.

The First Perón Presidency (1946 CE – 1955 CE)

Juan Perón’s first presidency (1946–1955) is one of the most significant periods in Argentine history, marked by his populist policies and charismatic leadership:

• Perón implemented a series of social and economic reforms aimed at improving the conditions of the working class, including higher wages, social welfare programs, and labor rights.
• His wife, Eva Perón, became a beloved figure among the poor, advocating for women’s rights and founding charitable organizations.
• Perón’s government nationalized key industries, such as railroads and utilities, and pursued an import substitution industrialization strategy to promote domestic production.
• However, Perón’s authoritarian tendencies, including the suppression of opposition, and economic challenges led to growing dissatisfaction, culminating in a military coup in 1955 that ousted him from power.

Political Instability and Military Dictatorships (1955 CE – 1983 CE)

The Revolución Libertadora and Post-Perón Era (1955 CE – 1973 CE)

After Perón’s ousting, Argentina experienced a period of political instability and alternating military and civilian governments:

• The Revolución Libertadora was the name given to the military regime that took power in 1955, aiming to dismantle Peronism and restore democracy.
• Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Argentina faced frequent political and economic crises, labor strikes, and growing violence between leftist guerrilla movements and right-wing paramilitary groups.

The Return of Perón (1973 CE – 1974 CE)

In 1973, after years of exile, Juan Perón returned to Argentina and was re-elected president, but his health was failing:

• Perón’s third term was short-lived, as he died in 1974, leaving his wife, Isabel Perón, as the first female president of Argentina.
• Isabel Perón struggled to manage the deepening political violence and economic crisis, leading to another military coup in 1976.

The National Reorganization Process (1976 CE – 1983 CE)

The military dictatorship that took power in 1976, known as the National Reorganization Process, was one of the darkest periods in Argentina’s history:

• The military regime, led by General Jorge Rafael Videla, launched a brutal campaign of repression, known as the Dirty War, against suspected left-wing activists, students, and labor organizers.
• Thousands of people were “disappeared,” tortured, or killed during this period, while the regime imposed strict censorship and eliminated civil liberties.
• The regime’s economic policies, which focused on neoliberal reforms, failed to resolve the country’s economic problems, leading to high inflation and debt.

The Falklands War and the Fall of the Military Junta (1982 CE – 1983 CE)

In 1982, the military regime sought to bolster its popularity by invading the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), a British territory:

• The Falklands War between Argentina and Britain ended in a humiliating defeat for Argentina, undermining the military government’s credibility.
• In 1983, growing public dissatisfaction with the dictatorship and economic instability led to the restoration of democracy, with the election of Raúl Alfonsín as president.

The Return to Democracy and Economic Challenges (1983 CE – Present)

Raúl Alfonsín and the Transition to Democracy (1983 CE – 1989 CE)

Raúl Alfonsín’s presidency marked a new era for Argentina, as the country transitioned back to democratic rule:

• Alfonsín established the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP) to investigate the human rights abuses committed during the military dictatorship.
• His government sought to stabilize the economy and address the country’s hyperinflation and external debt, although economic difficulties persisted.

Economic Crises and the Menem Era (1989 CE – 1999 CE)

In 1989, Carlos Menem of the Justicialist Party (Peronist) was elected president, ushering in a decade of neoliberal economic reforms:

• Menem’s government implemented policies of privatization, trade liberalization, and currency stabilization by pegging the Argentine peso to the U.S. dollar.
• While these policies initially reduced inflation, they also increased inequality and led to rising unemployment.
• By the late 1990s, Argentina’s economy was again facing a crisis due to growing debt and a lack of economic growth.

The Economic Collapse of 2001 and Recovery

In 2001, Argentina experienced one of the worst economic crises in its history:

• The country defaulted on its foreign debt, and millions of Argentines were plunged into poverty.
• Massive protests, known as the Argentinazo, led to the resignation of President Fernando de la Rúa, and a series of interim presidents followed.
• Néstor Kirchner was elected in 2003, and his government oversaw a period of economic recovery, driven by high commodity prices and export growth.

Recent Developments (2007 CE – Present)

• After Néstor Kirchner’s presidency, his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, was elected president in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Her government continued policies of social welfare and economic intervention.
• In 2015, Mauricio Macri, representing the Republican Proposal (PRO), was elected president, marking a shift toward more market-oriented economic policies.
• Macri’s presidency faced significant economic challenges, including inflation, debt, and social unrest.
• In 2019, Alberto Fernández was elected president with Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as vice president, signaling a return to Peronist leadership.