Argentinian WWII DiplomacyKees Humes

German-Argentine SympathyLarge German Immigrant populationArgentina and Britain were traditional rivals- Neutrality was hurting BritainCorrupt conservative government under President Roberto Maria OrtizArgentine army was heavily influenced by German training and tacticsRespect for Germany did not stem from anti-democratic sentiment, and the Argentine military did not support Hitler

Argentine TheaterRio de la Plata- German pocket battleship Graff Spree fights it out with three British cruisersArgentina drew up plans to invade the Falkland Islands and seize them from Britain

NeutralityPresident Ortiz fell ill with diabetes, VP Castillo takes powerForced to stay neutral by the military under threat of coupBritain did not want Argentina to enter war, US didArgentina stayed neutral, due to British diplomacy and Argentine military

CoupCastillo’s government was deposed on June 4thAllies though coup was pro-Nazi, Germans though coup was pro-AlliesSecond coup took place in response to the planned war declaration against the AxisJuan Peron ends up in power and concentrates on internal problemsUS pressures Argentina to join waron March 27th, Argentina declared war against Japan and Germany

QuizWhat was the one battle in the Argentine theater?Who took power in the June 4th coup only to be deposed three days later?Who did Argentina declare war against?

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