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.

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.