Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay (1973-1985)
Encyclopedia
The Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay (1973–1985) lasted from June 27, 1973 following the 1973 coup d'état
until February 28, 1985.
This dictatorship was the corollary of an escalation of violence and authoritarism in a traditionally peaceful country, and should be analyzed in the light of the Cold War
context and other military dictatorship
s in the region.
It meant the suppression of all former political activity, including the traditional parties and the left. Many people were imprisoned and tortured, especially left-wingers.
Four de-facto presidents were the visible heads of this regime:
In 1980 the military tried to impose a new Constitution that meant entrenching them in power, and they failed to do so, since the plebiscite meant a resounding "No". Soon afterwards the political parties started reorganizing; in November 1984 there were general elections, won by Julio María Sanguinetti, and the 12-year-long dictatorship came to an end.
The sequels of this dictatorship still give foot to debate and controversy.
1973 Uruguayan coup d'état
The 1973 Uruguayan coup d'état took place in Uruguay on the 27th of June 1973 and marked the beginning of the civic-military dictatorship which lasted until 1985....
until February 28, 1985.
This dictatorship was the corollary of an escalation of violence and authoritarism in a traditionally peaceful country, and should be analyzed in the light of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
context and other military dictatorship
Military dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
s in the region.
It meant the suppression of all former political activity, including the traditional parties and the left. Many people were imprisoned and tortured, especially left-wingers.
Four de-facto presidents were the visible heads of this regime:
- Juan María BordaberryJuan María BordaberryJuan María Bordaberry Arocena was a Uruguayan politician and cattle rancher, who first served as President from 1972 until 1976, including as a dictator from 1973 until his ouster in a 1976 coup...
(1973-1976) - Alberto DemicheliAlberto DemicheliAlberto Pedro Demicheli Lizaso was a Uruguayan political figure. Demicheli was a de facto President of Uruguay in 1976...
(1976) - Aparicio MéndezAparicio MéndezAparicio Méndez Manfredini , was a Uruguayan political figure. He was a de facto President of Uruguay from 1976–1981. As a non-democratically elected authority of the Civic-military dictatorship .-Background:...
(1976-1981) - Gregorio Álvarez (1981-1985)
In 1980 the military tried to impose a new Constitution that meant entrenching them in power, and they failed to do so, since the plebiscite meant a resounding "No". Soon afterwards the political parties started reorganizing; in November 1984 there were general elections, won by Julio María Sanguinetti, and the 12-year-long dictatorship came to an end.
The sequels of this dictatorship still give foot to debate and controversy.
See also
- Operation CondorOperation CondorOperation Condor , was a campaign of political repression involving assassination and intelligence operations officially implemented in 1975 by the right-wing dictatorships of the Southern Cone of South America...
- Tupamaro National Liberation Movement
- 1973 Uruguayan coup d'état1973 Uruguayan coup d'étatThe 1973 Uruguayan coup d'état took place in Uruguay on the 27th of June 1973 and marked the beginning of the civic-military dictatorship which lasted until 1985....