Sunday, 29 June 2014

Democracy in The Contemporary World – Chile (Part 1)

Salvador Allende

  • Salvador Allende was the founder leader of Socialist Party of Chile.
  • He led the Popular Unity Coalition to victory in the presidential elections of 1970, after which he became  the president of Chile.
  • He introduced several policies to help the poor & the workers.
  • In 11th September 1973, his government was overthrown by the military & he was killed in the Military Coup.
Policies of Salvador Allende
  • After becoming the president of Chile, Allende had taken several policy decisions to help the poor & the workers.
Policies of Allende

Military Coup of 1973

  • The strong opposition against Allende & his policies led to the military coup of 1973.
  • On 11th September 1973, the military asked Allende to resign or leave the country, but he refused and knowing the danger he addressed to the people of Chile through radio.
  • After which, the military started bombing the presidential palace of Chile (La Moneda) where he died.
  • A democratic government of Allende was overthrown by the military through violence & conspiracy in a military coup.
  • The government of U.S.A. was unhappy with Allende’s rule and is known to have supported and funded activities that led to the military coup.

General Augusto Pinochet’s Rule

  • Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean Army General, he led the military coup of 1973.
  • Pinochet then became the president of Chile, and ruled the country for the next 15-17 years.
  • Military dictatorship was established in Chile, the military did as they wished and no one could question them.
  • Pinochet’s government tortured and killed several of those who supported Allende and those who wanted democracy to be restored.
  • Genral Alberto Bachelet, of the Chilean Air Force and many other officers who refuced to join the coup were killed.
  • Bachelet’s wife & daughter were put in prison and tortured.

Restoration of Democracy

  • Pinochet’s military dictatorship came to an end after he decided to hold a referendum in 1988.
  •  The referendum was held to decide whether Augusto Pinochet should continue his rule or not. The voter turnout was 100% and 56% of them opposed him by voting “NO”. 
  • Thereafter, Pinochet lost his political and then his military powers.
  • Slowly, the role of army in the country’s government  was eliminated.
  • Political freedom was restored in Chile, Since then Chile had held over 4 presidential elections in which different political parties have participated.
  • General Bachelet’s daughter, Michelle Bachelet, was elected President of Chile in January 2006 after defeating one of Chile’s richest men.

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