Page 67 - Across the Andes: Chile’s Atacama Desert & Argentina’s Northwest

After the victory over Blancos, Batlle introduced widespread political, social, and economic
reforms such as a welfare program, government participation in many facets of the economy
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companies and created a modern social welfare system. Under Batlle electorate was increased
from 46 000 to 188 000. Income tax for lower incomes was abolished in 1905, secondary
schools established in every city (1906), right of divorce given to women (1907), telephone
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working day introduced (1915), Uruguay proclaimed a secular republic (1917).

To prevent Presidential dictatorships, in 1913 Batlle proposed to introduce a collective
Presidency (colegiado), based on the Swiss Federal Council model. His idea was defeated in a
referendum of 1916, but he managed to get support from Blancos and the Second Constitution
was approved in referendum of November 25, 1917. Under the new Constitution a split
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and Defense. And the new nine-man National Council of Administration, which consisted
of six Colorados and three Blancos, controlled ministries of Education, Finances, Economy
and Health.

The Great Depression & World War II

Batlle’s split executive model lasted until 1933, when during the economic crisis of the Great
Depression, President Gabriel Terra assumed dictatorial powers.

The new welfare state was hit hard by the Great Depression, which also caused a growing
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agreement from the Blanco leader Luis Alberto de Herrera in March 1933 suspended the
Congress, abolished the collective executive, established a dictatorial regime and introduced
a new Constitution in 1934. The former President Brum committed suicide in protest against
the coup. In 1938 Terra was succeeded by his close political follower and brother-in-law
General Alfredo Baldomir. During this time state retained large control over nation’s economy
and commerce, while pursuing free-market policies. After the new Constitution of 1942 was
introduced, political freedoms were restored.

On January 25, 1942 Uruguay broke diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany, as 21 American
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1945 it formally joined the Declaration by United Nations.

Post-War

In 1946 a Batlle loyalist, Tomás Berreta was elected to Presidency, and after his sudden
death, Batlle’s nephew Luis Batlle Berres became the President. To cover the British debt for
the beef deliveries during WWII, in 1949 British owned railroads and water companies were
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for a constitutional referendum that adapted the new Constitution of 1952 which returned
to the collective executive model - the National Council of Government was created. This
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caused troubles for the country. Because of a decrease in demand in the world market for

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