Argentina 1916: Hipólito Yrigoyen and the Sáenz Peña Law

In 1916, Argentina held its first truly democratic presidential election under the Sáenz Peña Law, which established universal male suffrage and secret ballot. This episode focuses on the rise of Hipólito Yrigoyen, leader of the Unión Cívica Radical, and his transformative but contentious first term. We explore the deep social divisions of the time, the power of the landowners through the Sociedad Rural Argentina, and the struggles of the growing working class. Yrigoyen's personal style—aloof, paternalistic, and deeply popular—and his clashes with conservatives and radicals alike shaped Argentina's path. We also touch on the economic boom of the 'granero del mundo' period and its hidden costs. The episode blends political history with the social ferment that would later explode in the Semana Trágica.

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