The Process
Step 1: Forming your committee Your teacher will put you in groups of four. This group will form the committee to make this important decision. As with every committee, you will each play an important role and have to make your opinions heard to be effective.
Step 2: Committee Briefing In order to be an effective committee, you will have to start out with a similar base of knowledge. Before you begin, visit the following sites and read about Ms. Peron's life.
Step 3: Finding your identity Now read each of the roles described below.After reading these descriptions, decide who in your group will assume each role.
Before beginning your research, print off research guide proved for your role.
Read carefully all of the resource links for your role. Remember that that you will have to back up your arguments with facts, you need to find solid evidence the Ms. Peron should either receive this honor or not. You will do this research on your own. Some of the resource links will be in Spanish, while some will be in English. Keep in mind as that your final presentation must be made in Spanish.
If you need help reading the Spanish resources, a link to a Spanish-English dictionary can be found on the index to the left.
High Class: During Ms. Peron's time, Argentina had a rich high class consisting of mostly European immigrants. This group was not amused by the actions of Ms. Peron, a lower class Argentine stepping into the high seat. As a high class citizen, you will want to analyze how Ms. Peron's policies may have been a nuisance to those who were enjoying their rich state. Couple of keys points you should look at: Eva Peron Foundation and charity groups that existed before that, changes in the nation's industries that would have affected high class foreigners. You can use information that has been discovered about Ms. Peron since her death. Your main focus should be the "negative" social effects of Ms. Peron's fame(although not limited to this).
Military: It was typical for military leaders such as Peron to have a love interest or a wife, however it was typical for woman to influence a military man's decision let alone involve herself in politics. The military felt somewhat miffed by the actions of this woman. In addition, the Perons made many changes in government policy. You will need to consider how military would feel about Ms. Peron's influence in the country and why it lead them to react as they do (remember that after her death the military took control over the country again in 1955...why did they do this?) Your main focus should be on the negative government/political effects of Ms. Peron (although not limited to this).
Low Class workers: Economic conditions for many Argentines were rather bleak. The masses of low class workers saw in Ms. Peron a ray of hope. As a member of the working class, you will want to look at what Ms. Peron does for you. Remember that she too at one point was in the low class. Your focus should be on the positive social and economic effects(although not limited to this).
Every(Argentine)woman: Argentine women in the 1950's had little say in politics or much else for that matter. The emergence of a strong woman leader rising above her circumstances was a motivation to the common woman in Argentina. You will want to analyze what Ms. Peron did for women in Argentina. Your main focus should be on the positive social and political effects on women(although not limited to this).
Eva Peron: Movimiento de Mujeres Justialistas
Step 4: Formulating your thoughts Now that you know what you stand for,you will write a two page position paper, organizing your thoughts. Remember that from here on out you ARE a person from the group that you represent. You will write this paper not as yourself, but as an Argentine citizen deeply affected by Ms. Peron's actions in your country.
The position paper will state what decision you think they should be made and evidence to support belief. Be persuasive.
Step 5: Making a group decision Now your group will come back together, read your papers to the group, Your group will then debate personal findings. Each group member will reiterate at least two arguments supporting their position.
The discussion will conclude with a group
consensus on what should happen.
Step 6: Preparing your group presentation The group will now put together a presentation demonstrating their position on whether to honor Ms. Peron or not.
The presentation should show the viewpoint of each role while proving the position of the group. The evidence for your position should refute the evidence against your position.
The conclusion of your presentation should include an idea of what could happen on the July 25, 2002, based upon your decision.
The format of the presentation is up to the students. Possible presentations could be a Mock debate, a talk show, another skit of some sort, or formal presentation of the different sides and then an explanation of why the decision was made.