
Webquest by Kimberly
Tohill
Created March 11, 2006
Spanish I
| Introducción | Trabajo | Proceso & Recursos | Calificación | Conclusión |
Eva Duarte de Perón is arguably one of the most influential and notable women of modern Latin America. She was a woman of many distinctions - some were illustrious and others were demeaning. Eva, the illegitimate child of a prominent politician, grew up in a poor family in the suburbs of bustling Buenos Aires, Argentina. She had always dreamed of becoming an actress and did anything in order to meet and befriend influential people that would help her climb to the top. She eventually found herself as the nation's First Lady, living in style in the Casa Rosada. During her time as First Lady, she created, among other things, the Fundación Eva Perón. Eva's death on July 26, 1952, brought the nation to its knees and forced the country into a self analysis as to Eva's contributions and detriments to Argentine society.

You have been separated
into
groups, each of you with a well-defined role within the group. Each
person must research his/her role and formulate an opinion on the focus
question: was Eva Perón a sinner
or a saint? Then, as a group, you must come to a consensus to convince the
Argentine government (that would be me, your teacher!) that Eva Perón is worthy
of sainthood or should be remembered as a sinner who tarnished our great nation.
Remember that it is your job as an individual to advocate for your opinion to
become the opinion of the group as a whole. You will present your proposal
to the class (in English).
top

Paso 1: As a group, you should read through the following links so that you all have the same general knowledge base from which to draw. You should also look through the books that Mr. Buchman has set aside for you. Take notes!!
Eva Perón - Background Information
Paso 2: As a group, you must decide which of you will fulfill each of the following roles. Read the descriptions before you choose your role: bourgeoisie, military, descamisado, or woman. Each role must have at least 1 person in it; in groups of 5, there will be 2 people assuming the same role.
Bourgeoisie (upper class): During the time that Perón ruled in Argentina, the upper class consisted mainly of European immigrants who were not amused by a poor woman from the lower class rising to the seat of First Lady. Many of the members of this class argued that Eva's politics favored the lower class. Focus on the negative social aspects of Eva's policies towards the upper class. Use the following links, but do not limit yourself to only these links - do some searching on your own!!
Eva: A Figure Who Refuses to Die
Eva Perón: Saint or Courtesan?
Uncovering the Megalomania Behind Evita Perón
start at the 7th paragraph under the second
picture
Military: While it was not uncommon for military leaders such as Juan Perón to have a woman at their side, it was not commonplace for the men to allow the woman to influence him to the degree and scope that Eva did. Eva made many changes to government policy that affected the military. You should focus on the way the military felt towards Eva's influence, how her policy affected them, and what she did that led them to react to her death by taking over the government in 1955. Use the following links, but do not limit yourself to only these links - do some searching on your own!
Evita, the Swiss, and the Nazis
Descamisado: (shirtless one) Descamisado was the affectionate nickname that Eva gave to the lower class of Argentine workers. Eva gave them hope for the future because she had once been were they were. They looked to her for help to reconcile their economic conditions. As a lower class worker, you should focus on the positive social and economic effects for the working class. Use the following links, but do not limit yourself to only these links - do some searching on your own!
Eva Perón Foundation
(click on Fundación Eva Perón)
Argentina Through Justicialismo
scroll down to "During Peron's Leadership..."
Woman: Before Eva, women in Argentina had little to no say in politics or anything else. The emergence of Eva as a strong, influential female leader gave Argentine women hope and confidence. Analyze how Eva's policies and politics positively affected women in Argentina in the 1950s. Use the following link, but do not limit yourself to only this link - do some searching on your own! You may also want to read through some of the links for the descamisado, as some pertinent information on women can be found here as well.
Individual (10 pts.): You will be graded individually on the information you find according to your role in the group (bourgeoisie, military, descamisado, or woman). You should submit a typed page with at least 5 major points (in bulleted form) that support the focus of your persona. For example, the woman should tell me 5 major effects of Eva's policies and politics on women in Argentina. You should also write a concluding statement telling me whether you think Eva was a sinner or a saint and why. (not to exceed 1 typed page)
Group (20 pts.): As a group, you must submit 1 stapled set of papers that includes each individual's opinion. The top sheet of this packet of information should be your group's consensus as to whether Eva was a sinner or a saint. You should have your top 5 reasons for your decision in bulleted form followed by 2 explanatory paragraphs (in English) that describe why you are taking this position. The top sheet should not exceed 1 typed page. This will serve as the basis for your presentation and debate in class on Monday, March 27.
In-Class Discussion/Debate (10 pts.): On Monday, March 27, in class, we will have a discussion/debate to decide Eva's fate. If everyone comes to the same conclusion (which I hope you will not), we will have a discussion of your findings. If we have close to equal representation of both opinions, we will have a debate or mock trial.
Your grade for this portion of the project will be based on participation by your group. Each group will choose a spokesperson who will present an "opening statement" that voices the opinion of your group, backed by your research. I do not want to hear, "We think she's a saint because she helped poor people" or "We think she is a sinner because she ran away with a tango singer". You must have some solid facts to back up your opinion.
Once all groups have presented their opening statements, I will moderate a discussion/debate among the groups in order to come to a final, general consensus. If your group participates satisfactorily (serious, factual presentation), you will receive all 10 points. If your group does not present and/or participate, you will get 0 points. If the group does not remain serious or does not back up its argument with facts, you will receive 5 points.

Sinner or Saint? The choice is yours to make. However, there is no disputing the fact that Eva Perón made some outstanding and outlandish contributions to Argentina during her short lifetime. From the dirt roads of Los Toldos to the balcony of the Casa Rosada, Eva left her unmistakable mark on Argentine society as well as the rest of Latin America and the world.
