Argentine Civil War

The Argentine Civil War was a 5 month long civil war caused by anarchists and syndicalists against the republican Argentinian forces, resulting in a Syndicalist victory causing the republicans to flee to Brazil.

## **Prelude**

Argentina had since the 1890s been a hotbed for anarchism and Syndicalist activity. Conflicts with the republicans and police as well as strikes were frequent and common. With the establishment of the German Syndicalist Republic, it only bolstered support for leftism worldwide, and not only that, but since the leading leftist state in the world was Syndicalist, it more so disregarded Marxian socialist in place for Syndicalism and anarchism. The Germans had hoped for a few years that a revolution would come to Argentina and actively promoted their ideology into Argentina. Right before the revolution, about 75% of all Argentinian workers hated the republican government and 50% of all Argentinian workers supported some form of leftism. 40% supported anarchism syndicalism or anarcho-syndicalism. Also the assassination of Lenin, although not being an anarchist or syndicalist sent ripples through the leftist community, and reinforced the idea that a peaceful revolution is not possible.

## **Workers strike of 1924**

Initially, in Patagonia, the biggest hotspot for leftism regional strike was introduced by the AWF (Argentine Worker’s federation) who ordered a massive strike when laws were passed which prohibited anarchism in the country. Although a small region, it was packed with anarchists and syndicalists calling for the republican forces to step down. Argentinian police mass arrested the protestors, but were told to not use harm as it could exacerbate the strikes. Although thousands were arrested, the mass strike grew from Patagonia. From the north to the east workers joined the strike. It was then that the Argentine government decided for the police to not mass arrest anyone but be cautious about the striker’s behavior. It after 1 month of the strikes, it caused the Argentine economy to collapse as so many workers were not working. Yet the government knew that if they caved it might make the anarchists victorious in taking over Argentina. The government agreed to some but not all demands, but even the government was torn. Some wanted to accept the anarchists others wanted them gone. But because of the initial refusal, this was enough to kickstart the revolution. In Patagonia, the first militias began to form and soon guerilla forces also grew in popularity. The republican forces began to retreat as the government fled to Brazil. Soon actual battles and clashes began but the anarchists already had an advantage.

## **1925**

Despite the fact that republican forces couldn’t outnumber the anarchists, it took 5 months for the anarchists to fully win over the capitalist republicans. This was due to the more efficient weapons and equipment used by the republicans, not to mention Brazil, Uruguay Paraguay Bolivia and Chile all sent their forces in to turn the tide of the war, which was unsuccessful. In the end, the republicans formally capitulated in January but refusing to recognize the new government in charge.

## **Change to Argentina and south america**

Once victory was declared, an emergency council was declared in Buenos Aires to discuss the new government and what it would be. However, Argentina was heavily damaged in the war, and the decision for elections would be postponed “indefinitely” but the first elections were held in 1928 2 years later. But for the time being, the leaders and rulers consisted of over 1 dozen syndicalists and anarchists. When it concluded, along with a council to decide how the government should be, but it was also decided to hold a constitutional convention as well to draft, well, a new constitution. In it, all major industries were nationalized, as well as banning the capitalist republicans from Argentina entirely.