Citizenry, Nationalism and Protestant Activism During the Peronist Government in Argentina (1940s-50s)

In the aftermath of the global reorganization of the Second World War, Protestants found themselves in a precarious place. In this paper, through  archival letters and memoirs of key interlocutors such as Santiago Canclini, in his efforts, who, during a period of hostility towards Protestants in the first Peron government, tried to establish themselves not only as active members in the political, religious and social life of the country. Through letters and internal documents, we will see how Baptist pastors lobbied for new notions of citizenry and religious freedom that transcended national borders. This work of advocacy can be conceptualized into three areas, which I have denominated: external and internal advocacy, the circulation of publications, and strategic coalition building.