This project began in January 2010 as part of the Clio 2 course at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virgina (United States).The Hand of God explores how fútbol (soccer), a sport deeply tied to the history of Argentina, can help us understand shifts in national and cultural identity during moments of crisis. Immortalized by Argentinian legend Diego Maradona, after scoring his first goal with his hand against England in the 1986 World Cup, the phrase “the hand of God” serves as an apt description for an ongoing look at life in Argentina, a religious nation undergoing a period of suffering and ecstasy.
A Brief History
Between 1975 and 1986, Argentina experienced a period of political repression and sporting achievement. The military junta that came to power in 1976 initiated El Proceso, a means to eliminate subversive elements in society. Seven years later, the dictatorship was no more. Defeat at the hands of the British in the Falkland/Malvinas War signaled the final nail in the regime's coffin, and its leaders would soon answer for the “disappearance” of 30,000 of its own citizens. During this same period, however, Argentinians celebrated the pinnacle of sporting triumph: hosting and winning the World Cup in 1978, and winning again in 1986, in the process defeating England four years after the war.
As an ongoing educational website, users can explore documents and images; teaching and bibliographic resources, multimedia tools, and suggestions for further exploration. Visitors also are encouraged to reflect and share their thoughts about El Proceso, the “Dirty War”, the Malvinas War, and soccer*.
*soccer and football are used interchangeably throughout the site
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