Universities in Argentina between Lanusse and Peron (1971–1973): youth, repression and dialogue

ABSTRACT The Military regime that took power in 1966, led by General Juan Carlos Onganía, aimed at restructuring the economy while putting to an end all political activities. As part of its national plan committed to anticommunism, the regime took over the national universities, which were believed to be loci of communist activities. In 1969, however, a series of popular rebellions, followed by a steady increase of urban guerrilla activities, weakened the military government. By 1970, its only option was to restore democracy and, if possible, prevent Juan Perón from winning the elections. In this context, the presidential term inaugurated by General Agustin Lanusse in 1971 signalled a shift not only in national politics, but also in university life, where the policies shifted from mere repression to an expansion of the system. This article analyses this process, stressing the importance of youth, and especially university students, in the new political scenario: as the rise of armed organizations was linked to the presence of youth, this social actor gained political momentum. Hence, the government sought to address it from several courses of action. Among them, a new university policy, which lead to a huge restructuring of the public system, stood out.