Chile Salvador Allende and Pinochet

By Nate LePage

Military Rule and Democracy

In 1924, fearful of the ruling elites

inability to control the rise of Marxism, the military led a coup that would result in an unstable military rule. In 1931, General Ibez del Campo called for democratic elections, and gave power to his elected successor, but remained an influential politician. This period of democracy was dominated by the Radical Party. In 1964, a Christian Democrat Eduardo Frei Montalva was elected and began instituting social reforms, such as allowing agricultural workers to unionize.

Salvador Allende
Having placed behind Frei in 1964,

Salvador Allende won election to succeed him in 1970. Representing the socialist and communist parties, Allende was targeted by US-funded negative campaigning throughout the election As President, Allende began a series of reforms for social equality, adjusting tax and wage laws and creating jobs by subsidizing public works. The Chilean Government under Allende also began to nationalize many industries.

 An initial Coup d'tat by the military in

Two Coups

June 1973 failed to overthrow the Allende government 3 months later, on September 11th 1973, the armed forces of Chile attacked the Presidential Residence, and Allende reportedly committed suicide in the process. In 2000, the CIA declassified documents relating to the two coups. While having funded assassinations of Chilean leader in 1970, and given financial and military support to the government after the coup, the CIA denied any active role although it did probably condone it in the successful 1973 coup dtat.

Military Rule and Pinochet

After the successful coup, Chile was led by

a group consisting of the commanders-inchief of each of the 3 military branches, as well as that of the national police. The leader of the army, the oldest of the military branches, was named permanent president of this council. This was General Augusto Pinochet.
A year later, Pinochet was also named

President of Chile. In 1980, a plebiscite approved a constitution that automatically named Pinochet president for another 8 years and made the military council the sole legislative body.

 The first decade of Pinochets rule was

Oppression of Adversaries

marked by heavy suppression of all political opposition, especially left-wing politicians and activist groups. Political opponents as well as their spouses, parents, and children were punished severely. This included foreign journalists. In October 1973, around 70 people were killed by a travelling military death squad referred to as the Caravan of Death. In total, over 3.000 people were killed and over 40.000 tortured in some way during the Pinochet regime.
In the later 1980s, more freedom of assembly was gradually

allowed, but direct opposition to Pinochet was still treated harshly, such as in 1986, when a student and an American photographer were burned alive in the street.

Transition and Aftermath

In 1988, the constitution mandated a referendum

on the extension of Pinochets presidency. The no vote won with 56% of the vote. This referendum resulted in democratic elections for both the presidency and a new legislative body, as well as the re-legalization of opposition parties. In the 1989 Presidential election, Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin was elected to succeed Pinochet as President.
Pinochet retained leadership of the Army until 1998, and his

permanent senate seat until his resignation in 2002. In 2004, the Chilean Supreme court allowed charges against Pinochet, and he was arrested, but died in 2006 before facing trial. Shortly before his death, on his 91st birthday, Pinochet accepted responsibility for everything.