Congress and popular demonstrations in Argentina: the political crisis and the ?Pro- Armaments? campaign of 1908.

MARTÍN O. CASTRO

Lima

Congreso; XXXV International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association; 2017

Latin American Studies Association

Conflicts between Congress and the National Executive at the end of the ?conservative order? reached a climax in 1908. A fractious relationship between parliament and President José Figueroa Alcorta led to an institutional crisis and the ?closure? of Congress early in 1908. Figueroa Alcorta?s decision provoked different reactions among provincial governors, opposition politicians and the press, as well as among public opinion in cities such as Córdoba and Buenos Aires. This paper explores a number of demonstrations that took place in these cities focusing on how different groups, parties and associations voiced their opinions about the role of Congress and parliamentary obstructionism, and how they responded to a breach of the principle of separation of powers due to the National Executive?s decision. Electoral agreements with provincial governments and political allies allowed the President to muster a fragile parliamentary majority that set the tone of Congress? debates in the following years. The final years of Figueroa Alcorta?s presidency were also a period of frosty relations with neighbouring countries in the context of an increasing arms race. In 1908 the Argentine Congress held sessions to discuss a proposal to increase military spending. Student associations, clubs and committees launched campaigns to put pressure on parliament to reach a favourable decision. This paper analyses a number of demonstrations and meetings in September and October 1908 and uses this evidence to provide an interpretation of the significance of petitioning parliament in Argentine political life at the turn of the century.