The return to democracy

Las transiciones a la democracia

1977–1990. Within fifteen years most of the Spanish-speaking world moved from dictatorship to elected government.

Draft: not yet checked against its sources.

What happened

Within fifteen years most of the Spanish-speaking world moved from dictatorship to elected government. Spain went first: free elections in June 1977 and a constitution approved by referendum in December 1978, a model watched closely in Latin America. Argentina's military left power on 10 December 1983 after defeat in the Falklands/Malvinas war and the disaster of the disappeared; Uruguay followed in 1985. In Central America the Esquipulas II accord of August 1987 set a path of ceasefires, elections and reconciliation that ended the wars in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala over the next decade. In Chile voters rejected Pinochet in the plebiscite of 5 October 1988, and he handed over the presidency on 11 March 1990. The transitions left unfinished business, above all justice for victims, that the region still debates.

Events along the way

• 20 November 1975–15 June 1977: Franco dies and the Transition begins
• 6 December 1978: The Constitution of 1978
• 30 April 1977–10 December 1983: The dictatorship and the Madres de Plaza de Mayo
• 7 August 1987: Esquipulas II: peace for Central America
• 11 September 1973–11 March 1990: The coup of 11 September 1973 in Chile

Sources

1. 15 de junio de 1977: línea de salida hacia la Constitución — Congreso de los Diputados (blog)
2. 24M: Día Nacional de la Memoria por la Verdad y la Justicia — argentina.gob.ar
3. Ex Presidentes Arias y Cerezo y Secretario General Insulza conmemoran en la OEA el aniversario de los Acuerdos de Esquipulas — Organización de los Estados Americanos
4. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte (1915-2006) — Memoria Chilena, Biblioteca Nacional de Chile