Revolution of the Park

Quick Facts: Who was Revolution of the Park?

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Revolution of the Park

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A pivotal civic-military uprising in Argentina that forced a change in government.

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Origins & Early Life

The Revolution of the Park (Revolución del Parque), also known as the Revolution of 1890 or Revolution of '90, was a civic-military uprising against the national government of Argentina that took place from July 26 to 29, 1890. The revolution began with the takeover of the Buenos Aires Artillery Park (Parque de Artillería), located in what is today Lavalle Square. Led by the recently formed Civic Union against the presidency of Miguel Juárez Celman of the National Autonomist Party, the uprising was militarily defeated but achieved its political objective: Celman's resignation on August 6, 1890. The revolution marked a turning point in Argentine political history and led to the eventual formation of the Radical Civic Union. By 1889, Argentina was experiencing a severe economic crisis, characterized by high inflation, unemployment, falling wages, and increasingly violent labor strikes.

Career & Major Achievements

The crisis had its roots in the economic policies of President Julio Argentino Roca (1880-1886) and was exacerbated under his successor and brother-in-law, Miguel Juárez Celman. The National Bank Law of 1887 (Ley de Bancos Nacionales Garantidos) authorized banks to issue currency in exchange for depositing gold in the National Treasury, which then issued public bonds against which banking entities could print money. This policy led to irresponsible fiscal management and uncontrolled monetary emission. Provincial banks in Tucumán, Salta, Mendoza, and Buenos Aires, among others, issued legal tender currency, triggering rampant inflation. The festival of provincial and private emissions continued until 1890, when the government of Carlos Pellegrini established a Conversion Office (Caja de Conversión).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Starting in 1888, the economic crisis deepened. In December 1888, the Banco Constructor de La Plata collapsed, with its stock plummeting from 235 to 160 points. In June 1890, the Argentine government entered into a default on its external debt, particularly affecting the prestigious Barings Bank in London, which had invested heavily in Argentine speculative bonds. This triggered a major banking and stock market run that collapsed stock values and left several banks in desperate condition. President Juárez Celman's administration (1886-1890) was characterized by extreme presidentialism and centralization of power, known as the "Unicato" (single-man rule).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1880: 1880 Milestone — The crisis had its roots in the economic policies of President Julio Argentino Roca (1880-1886) and was exacerbated under his successor and brother-in-law, Miguel Juárez Celman.
2. 1886: 1886 Milestone — President Juárez Celman's administration (1886-1890) was characterized by extreme presidentialism and centralization of power, known as the "Unicato" (single-man rule).
3. 1887: 1887 Milestone — The National Bank Law of 1887 (Ley de Bancos Nacionales Garantidos) authorized banks to issue currency in exchange for depositing gold in the National Treasury, which then issued public bonds against which banking entities could print money.
4. 1888: 1888 Milestone — Starting in 1888, the economic crisis deepened.
5. 1889: 1889 Milestone — By 1889, Argentina was experiencing a severe economic crisis, characterized by high inflation, unemployment, falling wages, and increasingly violent labor strikes.
6. 1890: 1890 Milestone — The Revolution of the Park (Revolución del Parque), also known as the Revolution of 1890 or Revolution of '90, was a civic-military uprising against the national government of Argentina that took place from July 26 to 29, 1890.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Revolution of the Park

True or False: “The primary immediate goal of the Revolution of the Park was to overthrow the Argentine Republic entirely.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The revolution's political objective was more limited: forcing the resignation of President Miguel Juárez Celman.

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• Al Jolson — Historical peer (Born in 1886) (1886): Lithuanian-American entertainer, vaudevillian, and star of The Jazz Singer.
• Aleksei Kruchyonykh — Historical peer (Born in 1886) (1886): Radical Russian Futurist poet, artist, and theorist, inventor of 'zaum' nonsense poetry.
• Alexander Archipenko — Historical peer (Born in 1887) (1887): Ukrainian-American avant-garde sculptor, pioneer of Cubist human figures.
• Alexander Borodin — Historical peer (Died in 1887) (1887): Russian Romantic composer, chemist, and physician known for 'Prince Igor' and symphonies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Revolution of the Park