History of Chile: Difference between revisions
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{{History of Chile}} | {{History of Chile}} | ||
The territory of [[Chile]] has been populated since at least 3000 BC. By the 16th century, Spanish invaders began to raid the region of present-day Chile, and the territory was a colony from 1540 to 1818, when it gained [[Chilean War of Independence|independence from Spain]]. The country's economic development was successively marked by the export of first agricultural produce, then [[sodium nitrate|saltpeter]] and later copper. The wealth of raw materials led to an economic upturn, but also led to dependency, and even wars with neighboring states. Chile was governed during most of its first 150 years of independence by different forms of restricted government, where the electorate was carefully vetted and controlled by an elite. | The territory of [[Chile]] has been populated since at least 3000 BC. By the 16th century, Spanish invaders began to raid the region of present-day Chile, and the territory was a colony from 1540 to 1818, when it gained [[Chilean War of Independence|independence from Spain]]. The country's economic development was successively marked by the export of first agricultural produce, then [[sodium nitrate|saltpeter]] and later copper. The wealth of raw materials led to an economic upturn, but also led to dependency, and even wars with neighboring states. Chile was governed during most of its first 150 years of independence by different forms of restricted government, where the electorate was carefully vetted and controlled by an elite. | ||
Failure to address the economic and social increases and increasing political awareness of the less-affluent population, as well as indirect intervention and economic funding to the main political groups by the [[CIA]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foia.state.gov/Reports/ChurchReport.asp|title=Covert Action in Chile 1963-1973|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911173014/http://foia.state.gov/Reports/ChurchReport.asp |archive-date=11 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> as part of the [[Cold War]], led to a political polarization under [[Socialist Party (Chile)|Socialist]] [[President of Chile|president]] [[Salvador Allende]]. This in turn resulted in the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup d'état]] and the [[Military dictatorship of Chile|military dictatorship]] of General [[Augusto Pinochet]], whose seventeen-year regime was responsible for many [[Human rights abuses in Chile under Augusto Pinochet|human rights violations]] and [[Chicago Boys|deep market-oriented economic reforms]]. In 1990, Chile made a peaceful [[Chilean transition to democracy|transition to democracy]] and | Failure to address the economic and social increases and increasing political awareness of the less-affluent population, as well as indirect intervention and economic funding to the main political groups by the [[CIA]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foia.state.gov/Reports/ChurchReport.asp|title=Covert Action in Chile 1963-1973|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911173014/http://foia.state.gov/Reports/ChurchReport.asp |archive-date=11 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> as part of the [[Cold War]], led to a political polarization under [[Socialist Party (Chile)|Socialist]] [[President of Chile|president]] [[Salvador Allende]]. This in turn resulted in the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup d'état]] and the [[Military dictatorship of Chile|military dictatorship]] of General [[Augusto Pinochet]], whose seventeen-year regime was responsible for many [[Human rights abuses in Chile under Augusto Pinochet|human rights violations]] and [[Chicago Boys|deep market-oriented economic reforms]]. In 1990, Chile made a peaceful [[Chilean transition to democracy|transition to democracy]] and initiated a succession of democratic governments. | ||
==Early history (pre-1540)== | ==Early history (pre-1540)== | ||
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The Chilean part of Patagonia embraces the southern part of [[Valdivia]], [[Los Lagos Region|Los Lagos]] in Lake Llanquihue, [[Chiloe Island|Chiloé]], [[Puerto Montt]] and the Archaeological site of [[Monte Verde]], also the fiords and islands south to the regions of [[Aisén Region|Aisén]] and [[Magallanes Region|Magallanes]], including the west side of [[Tierra del Fuego]] and [[Cape Horn]].<ref name="PC">{{cite book |last1=Jarpa |first1=Francisco Fantini |title=Patagonia chilena: historia |date=2007 |publisher=Patagonia Media |isbn=978-956-310-774-6 }}{{pn|date=October 2023}}</ref> | The Chilean part of Patagonia embraces the southern part of [[Valdivia]], [[Los Lagos Region|Los Lagos]] in Lake Llanquihue, [[Chiloe Island|Chiloé]], [[Puerto Montt]] and the Archaeological site of [[Monte Verde]], also the fiords and islands south to the regions of [[Aisén Region|Aisén]] and [[Magallanes Region|Magallanes]], including the west side of [[Tierra del Fuego]] and [[Cape Horn]].<ref name="PC">{{cite book |last1=Jarpa |first1=Francisco Fantini |title=Patagonia chilena: historia |date=2007 |publisher=Patagonia Media |isbn=978-956-310-774-6 }}{{pn|date=October 2023}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Spanish conquest and colonization (1540–1810)== | ||
{{Further|Discovery of Chile|Conquest of Chile|Captaincy General of Chile|Arauco War}} | {{Further|Discovery of Chile|Conquest of Chile|Captaincy General of Chile|Arauco War}} | ||
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[[Image:Pedro de Valdivia.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Pedro de Valdivia]]]] | [[Image:Pedro de Valdivia.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Pedro de Valdivia]]]] | ||
The first European to sight Chilean territory was [[Ferdinand Magellan]], who crossed the [[Strait of Magellan]] on November 1, 1520. However, the title of discoverer of Chile is usually assigned to [[Diego de Almagro]]. Almagro was [[Francisco Pizarro]]'s partner, and he received the Southern area (''Nueva Toledo''). He organized an expedition that brought him to central Chile in 1537, but he found little of value to compare with the gold and silver of the Incas in Peru. Left with the impression that the inhabitants of the area were poor, he returned to Peru, later to be garotted following defeat by Hernando Pizarro in a Civil War.<ref>Prescott</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/chile/5.htm|title=Chile – Conquest and Colonization, 1535–1810|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-date=5 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805063531/http://countrystudies.us/chile/5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | The first European to sight Chilean territory was [[Ferdinand Magellan]], who crossed the [[Strait of Magellan]] on November 1, 1520. However, the title of discoverer of Chile is usually assigned to [[Diego de Almagro]]. Almagro was [[Francisco Pizarro]]'s partner, and he received the Southern area (''Nueva Toledo''). He organized an expedition that brought him to central Chile in 1537, but he found little of value to compare with the gold and silver of the Incas in Peru. Left with the impression that the inhabitants of the area were poor, he returned to Peru, later to be garotted following defeat by Hernando Pizarro in a Civil War.<ref>Prescott</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/chile/5.htm|title=Chile – Conquest and Colonization, 1535–1810|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-date=5 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805063531/http://countrystudies.us/chile/5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
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[[File:Territorial losses of the Republic of Chile de jure.svg|300px|thumb|Territorial losses of the Republic of Chile de jure (by law) according to Chilean historiography.]] | [[File:Territorial losses of the Republic of Chile de jure.svg|300px|thumb|Territorial losses of the Republic of Chile de jure (by law) according to Chilean historiography.]] | ||
Toward the end of the 19th century, the government in Santiago consolidated its position in the south by persistently suppressing the [[Mapuche]] during the [[Occupation of the Araucanía]]. In 1881, it signed the [[Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina]] confirming Chilean sovereignty over the [[Strait of Magellan]], but conceding all of oriental [[Patagonia]], and a considerable fraction of the territory it had during colonial times. As a result of the [[War of the Pacific]] with [[Peru]] and [[Bolivia]] (1879–1883), Chile expanded its territory northward by almost one-third and acquired valuable [[nitrate]] deposits, the exploitation of which led to an era of national affluence. | Toward the end of the 19th century, the government in Santiago consolidated its position in the south by persistently suppressing the [[Mapuche]] during the [[Occupation of the Araucanía]]. In 1881, it signed the [[Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina]] confirming Chilean sovereignty over the [[Strait of Magellan]], but conceding all of oriental [[Patagonia]], and a considerable fraction of the territory it had during colonial times, ending the [[East Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Strait of Magellan dispute]]. As a result of the [[War of the Pacific]] with [[Peru]] and [[Bolivia]] (1879–1883), Chile expanded its territory northward by almost one-third and acquired valuable [[nitrate]] deposits, the exploitation of which led to an era of national affluence. | ||
In the 1870s, the church influence started to diminish slightly with the passing of several laws that took some old roles of the church into the State's hands such as the registry of births and marriages. | In the 1870s, the church influence started to diminish slightly with the passing of several laws that took some old roles of the church into the State's hands such as the registry of births and marriages. | ||
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In the first year of Allende's term, the short-term economic results of Economics Minister [[Pedro Vuskovic]]'s [[Vuskovic plan|expansive monetary policy]] were unambiguously favorable: 12% industrial growth and an 8.6% increase in [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], accompanied by major declines in inflation (down from 34.9% to 22.1%) and unemployment (down to 3.8%). Allende adopted measures including price freezes, wage increases, and tax reforms, which had the effect of increasing consumer spending and redistributing income downward. Joint public-private [[public works]] projects helped reduce unemployment. Much of the banking sector was [[Nationalization|nationalized]]. Many enterprises within the copper, [[coal]], [[iron]], [[nitrate]], and [[steel]] industries were [[Nationalization|expropriated]], nationalized, or subjected to state intervention. Industrial output increased sharply and [[unemployment]] fell during the administration's first year. However, these results were not sustainable and in 1972 the Chilean ''escudo'' had runaway [[inflation]] of 140%. An [[economic depression]] that had begun in 1967 peaked in 1972, exacerbated by [[capital flight]], plummeting private investment, and withdrawal of bank deposits in response to Allende's socialist program. Production fell and unemployment rose. The combination of inflation and government-mandated price-fixing led to the rise of [[black market]]s in rice, beans, sugar, and flour, and a "disappearance" of such basic commodities from supermarket shelves.<ref>http://www.glamorama.cl/medio/articulo/0,0,38035857_178048856_151840537,00.html {{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | In the first year of Allende's term, the short-term economic results of Economics Minister [[Pedro Vuskovic]]'s [[Vuskovic plan|expansive monetary policy]] were unambiguously favorable: 12% industrial growth and an 8.6% increase in [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], accompanied by major declines in inflation (down from 34.9% to 22.1%) and unemployment (down to 3.8%). Allende adopted measures including price freezes, wage increases, and tax reforms, which had the effect of increasing consumer spending and redistributing income downward. Joint public-private [[public works]] projects helped reduce unemployment. Much of the banking sector was [[Nationalization|nationalized]]. Many enterprises within the copper, [[coal]], [[iron]], [[nitrate]], and [[steel]] industries were [[Nationalization|expropriated]], nationalized, or subjected to state intervention. Industrial output increased sharply and [[unemployment]] fell during the administration's first year. However, these results were not sustainable and in 1972 the Chilean ''escudo'' had runaway [[inflation]] of 140%. An [[economic depression]] that had begun in 1967 peaked in 1972, exacerbated by [[capital flight]], plummeting private investment, and withdrawal of bank deposits in response to Allende's socialist program. Production fell and unemployment rose. The combination of inflation and government-mandated price-fixing led to the rise of [[black market]]s in rice, beans, sugar, and flour, and a "disappearance" of such basic commodities from supermarket shelves.<ref>http://www.glamorama.cl/medio/articulo/0,0,38035857_178048856_151840537,00.html {{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | ||
Recognizing that U.S. intelligence forces were trying to destabilize his presidency through a variety of methods, the KGB offered financial assistance to the first democratically elected Marxist president.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Siegel|first1=Robert|title=The KGB in the Third World|website=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4948068|access-date=October 6, 2005|archive-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044144/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4948068|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the reason behind the U.S. covert actions against Allende concerned not the spread of Marxism but fear over losing control of its investments. "By 1968, 20 percent of total U.S. foreign investment was tied up in Latin America...Mining companies had invested $1 billion over the previous fifty years in Chile's copper mining industry – the largest in the world – but they had sent $7.2 billion home."<ref>{{cite news|title=A Draconian Cure for Chile's Economic Ills?|date=January 12, 1976 |agency=BusinessWeek}}</ref> Part of the CIA's program involved a propaganda campaign that portrayed Allende as a would-be Soviet dictator. In fact, however, "the U.S.'s own intelligence reports showed that Allende posed no threat to democracy."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities|title=Covert Action in Chile|url=https://www.archives.gov/declassification/iscap/pdf/2010-009-doc17.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.archives.gov/declassification/iscap/pdf/2010-009-doc17.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=archives.gov|access-date=17 February 2015}}</ref> Nevertheless, the [[Richard Nixon]] administration [[United States intervention in Chile|organized and inserted secret operatives]] in Chile, in order to quickly destabilize Allende's government.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kornbluh|first=Peter|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8.htm|title=Chile and the United States: Declassified Documents Relating to the Military Coup, September 11, 1973|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-date=7 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060607195322/http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8.htm|url-status=live}} | Recognizing that U.S. intelligence forces were trying to destabilize his presidency through a variety of methods, the KGB offered financial assistance to the first democratically elected Marxist president.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Siegel|first1=Robert|title=The KGB in the Third World|website=NPR.org|date=6 October 2005 |publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4948068|access-date=October 6, 2005|archive-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044144/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4948068|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the reason behind the U.S. covert actions against Allende concerned not the spread of Marxism but fear over losing control of its investments. "By 1968, 20 percent of total U.S. foreign investment was tied up in Latin America...Mining companies had invested $1 billion over the previous fifty years in Chile's copper mining industry – the largest in the world – but they had sent $7.2 billion home."<ref>{{cite news|title=A Draconian Cure for Chile's Economic Ills?|date=January 12, 1976 |agency=BusinessWeek}}</ref> Part of the CIA's program involved a propaganda campaign that portrayed Allende as a would-be Soviet dictator. In fact, however, "the U.S.'s own intelligence reports showed that Allende posed no threat to democracy."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities|title=Covert Action in Chile|url=https://www.archives.gov/declassification/iscap/pdf/2010-009-doc17.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.archives.gov/declassification/iscap/pdf/2010-009-doc17.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=archives.gov|access-date=17 February 2015}}</ref> Nevertheless, the [[Richard Nixon]] administration [[United States intervention in Chile|organized and inserted secret operatives]] in Chile, in order to quickly destabilize Allende's government.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kornbluh|first=Peter|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8.htm|title=Chile and the United States: Declassified Documents Relating to the Military Coup, September 11, 1973|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-date=7 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060607195322/http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8.htm|url-status=live}} | ||
*{{Cite web |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc01.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc01.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=CIA, Report of CIA Chilean Task Force Activities, 15 September to 3 November 1970 |date=November 18, 1970 |access-date=2022-09-05 }} | *{{Cite web |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc01.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc01.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=CIA, Report of CIA Chilean Task Force Activities, 15 September to 3 November 1970 |date=November 18, 1970 |access-date=2022-09-05 }} | ||
*{{Cite web |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc27.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc27.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=CIA, Cable Transmissions on Coup Plotting |date=October 18, 1970 |access-date=2022-09-05 }} | *{{Cite web |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc27.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/docs/doc27.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=CIA, Cable Transmissions on Coup Plotting |date=October 18, 1970 |access-date=2022-09-05 }} | ||
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By early 1973, [[inflation]] had risen 600% under Allende's presidency.''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3uFAr6lhPxgC&q=chile+inflation+1973+800%25&pg=PA142|title=Latin America's Economy|isbn=9780262531252|access-date=25 February 2015|last1=Cardoso|first1=Eliana A.|last2=Helwege|first2=Ann|year=1995|publisher=MIT Press |archive-date=23 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123232901/https://books.google.com/books?id=3uFAr6lhPxgC&q=chile+inflation+1973+800%25&pg=PA142|url-status=live}}</ref>'' The crippled economy was further battered by prolonged and sometimes simultaneous [[strike action|strikes]] by physicians, teachers, students, truck owners, copper workers, and the small business class. A [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|military coup]] overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. As the armed forces bombarded the presidential palace ([[Palacio de La Moneda]]), Allende committed suicide.<ref>{{Cite book| first=Óscar|last=Soto|title=El Último dia de Salvador Allende}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first=Eugenio|last=Ahumada|title=Chile: La memoria prohibida}}</ref> A military government, led by General [[Augusto Pinochet Ugarte]], took over control of the country. | By early 1973, [[inflation]] had risen 600% under Allende's presidency.''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3uFAr6lhPxgC&q=chile+inflation+1973+800%25&pg=PA142|title=Latin America's Economy|isbn=9780262531252|access-date=25 February 2015|last1=Cardoso|first1=Eliana A.|last2=Helwege|first2=Ann|year=1995|publisher=MIT Press |archive-date=23 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123232901/https://books.google.com/books?id=3uFAr6lhPxgC&q=chile+inflation+1973+800%25&pg=PA142|url-status=live}}</ref>'' The crippled economy was further battered by prolonged and sometimes simultaneous [[strike action|strikes]] by physicians, teachers, students, truck owners, copper workers, and the small business class. A [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|military coup]] overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. As the armed forces bombarded the presidential palace ([[Palacio de La Moneda]]), Allende committed suicide.<ref>{{Cite book| first=Óscar|last=Soto|title=El Último dia de Salvador Allende}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first=Eugenio|last=Ahumada|title=Chile: La memoria prohibida}}</ref> A military government, led by General [[Augusto Pinochet Ugarte]], took over control of the country. | ||
The first years of the regime were marked by [[human rights violation]]s. The junta jailed, tortured, and executed thousands of Chileans. In October 1973, at least 72 people were murdered by the [[Caravan of Death]].<ref>{{cite news|url= | The first years of the regime were marked by [[human rights violation]]s. The junta jailed, tortured, and executed thousands of Chileans. In October 1973, at least 72 people were murdered by the [[Caravan of Death]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/850932.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|title=Flashback: Caravan of Death|access-date=2008-05-02|date=July 25, 2000|archive-date=2008-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226211503/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/850932.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/07/chile-high-court-allows-pinochet.php | title=JURIST | School of Law | University of Pittsburgh | access-date=2009-05-04 | archive-date=2009-05-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508215435/http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/07/chile-high-court-allows-pinochet.php | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/63821.stm bbc.co.uk] Pinochet's rule: Repression and economic success</ref> At least a thousand people were executed during the first six months of Pinochet in office, and at least two thousand more were killed during the next sixteen years, as reported by the [[Rettig Report]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usip.org/library/tc/doc/reports/chile/chile_1993_toc.html |title=Chile: Reports: Truth Commissions: Library & Links: U.S. Institute of Peace |access-date=2009-05-04 |archive-date=2009-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506012049/http://www.usip.org/library/tc/doc/reports/chile/chile_1993_toc.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1109861.stm |title=Finding Chile's disappeared |date=10 January 2001 |work=[[BBC News]] |location=London, UK |access-date=January 5, 2010 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209171048/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1109861.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> At least 29,000 were imprisoned and tortured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/solotexto/articulo.html?xref=20081203elpepudep_19&type=Tes|title=El campo de concentración de Pinochet cumple 70 años|date=12 April 2009|newspaper=[[El País]]|location=Madrid, Spain|access-date=10 April 2009|archive-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729172019/http://www.elpais.com/solotexto/articulo.html?xref=20081203elpepudep_19&type=Tes|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the Latin American Institute on Mental Health and Human Rights (ILAS), "situations of extreme trauma" affected about 200,000 persons.;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chipsites.com/derechos/dictadura_victimas_eng.html|title=chipsites.com|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202904/http://www.chipsites.com/derechos/dictadura_victimas_eng.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/42a/132.html|title=Under the Dictatorship|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225230611/http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/42a/132.html|url-status=live}}</ref> this figure includes individuals killed, tortured or exiled, and their immediate families. About 30,000 left the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile torture victims win payout |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4050655.stm |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2004 }}</ref> | ||
The four-man junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet abolished [[civil liberties]], dissolved the national congress, banned union activities, prohibited strikes and collective bargaining, and erased the Allende administration's agrarian and economic reforms.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Valdivia Ortiz de Zarate |first1=Veronica |title=Terrorism and Political Violence during the Pinochet Years: Chile, 1973-1989 |journal=Radical History Review |date=2003 |volume=85 |issue=1 |pages=182–190 |id={{Project MUSE|37744}} }}</ref> | The four-man junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet abolished [[civil liberties]], dissolved the national congress, banned union activities, prohibited strikes and collective bargaining, and erased the Allende administration's agrarian and economic reforms.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Valdivia Ortiz de Zarate |first1=Veronica |title=Terrorism and Political Violence during the Pinochet Years: Chile, 1973-1989 |journal=Radical History Review |date=2003 |volume=85 |issue=1 |pages=182–190 |id={{Project MUSE|37744}} }}</ref> | ||
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In December 1993, Christian Democrat [[Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle]], the son of previous president [[Eduardo Frei Montalva]], led the Concertación coalition to victory with an absolute majority of votes (58%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8257609.html|title=Chile elects new leader Late president's son wins big|access-date=2008-05-02|archive-date=2008-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526090105/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8257609.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Frei Ruiz-Tagle was succeeded in 2000 by Socialist [[Ricardo Lagos]], who won the presidency in an unprecedented [[runoff election]] against [[Joaquín Lavín]] of the rightist [[Alliance for Chile]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/01/17/chile.elex.01/ |title=Moderate socialist Lagos wins Chilean presidential election |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 16, 2000 |access-date=2008-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506162601/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/01/17/chile.elex.01/ |archive-date=May 6, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> by a very tight score of fewer than 200,000 votes (51,32%). | In December 1993, Christian Democrat [[Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle]], the son of previous president [[Eduardo Frei Montalva]], led the Concertación coalition to victory with an absolute majority of votes (58%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8257609.html|title=Chile elects new leader Late president's son wins big|access-date=2008-05-02|archive-date=2008-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526090105/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-8257609.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Frei Ruiz-Tagle was succeeded in 2000 by Socialist [[Ricardo Lagos]], who won the presidency in an unprecedented [[runoff election]] against [[Joaquín Lavín]] of the rightist [[Alliance for Chile]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/01/17/chile.elex.01/ |title=Moderate socialist Lagos wins Chilean presidential election |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 16, 2000 |access-date=2008-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506162601/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/01/17/chile.elex.01/ |archive-date=May 6, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> by a very tight score of fewer than 200,000 votes (51,32%). | ||
In 1998, Pinochet travelled to London for back surgery. But under orders of Spanish judge [[Baltasar Garzón]], he was [[Augusto Pinochet's arrest and trial|arrested there]], attracting worldwide attention, not only because of the history of Chile and South America, but also because this was one of the first arrests of a former president based on the [[universal jurisdiction]] principle. Pinochet tried to defend himself by referring to the [[State Immunity Act of 1978]], an argument rejected by the British justice. However, [[UK Home Secretary]] [[Jack Straw]] took the responsibility to release him on medical grounds, and refused to extradite him to Spain. Thereafter, Pinochet returned to Chile in March 2000. Upon descending the plane on his wheelchair, he stood up and saluted the cheering crowd of supporters, including an army band playing his favorite military march tunes, which was awaiting him at the airport in Santiago. President [[Ricardo Lagos]] later commented that the retired general's televised arrival had damaged the image of Chile, while thousands demonstrated against him.<ref>{{cite news|url= | In 1998, Pinochet travelled to London for back surgery. But under orders of Spanish judge [[Baltasar Garzón]], he was [[Augusto Pinochet's arrest and trial|arrested there]], attracting worldwide attention, not only because of the history of Chile and South America, but also because this was one of the first arrests of a former president based on the [[universal jurisdiction]] principle. Pinochet tried to defend himself by referring to the [[State Immunity Act of 1978]], an argument rejected by the British justice. However, [[UK Home Secretary]] [[Jack Straw]] took the responsibility to release him on medical grounds, and refused to extradite him to Spain. Thereafter, Pinochet returned to Chile in March 2000. Upon descending the plane on his wheelchair, he stood up and saluted the cheering crowd of supporters, including an army band playing his favorite military march tunes, which was awaiting him at the airport in Santiago. President [[Ricardo Lagos]] later commented that the retired general's televised arrival had damaged the image of Chile, while thousands demonstrated against him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/665342.stm|title=Thousands march against Pinochet|date=March 4, 2000|work=[[BBC News]]|location=London, UK|access-date=2008-05-02|archive-date=2004-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040526083212/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/665342.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
=== Bachelet and Piñera === | === Bachelet and Piñera === | ||
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In 2002 Chile signed an association agreement with the [[European Union]] (comprising a free trade agreement and political and cultural agreements), in 2003, an extensive free trade agreement with the United States, and in 2004 with [[South Korea]], expecting a boom in import and export of local produce and becoming a regional trade-hub. Continuing the coalition's free trade strategy, in August 2006 President Bachelet promulgated a [[free trade agreement]] with [[China]] (signed under the previous administration of Ricardo Lagos), the first Chinese free trade agreement with a Latin American nation; similar deals with Japan and India were promulgated in August 2007. In October 2006, Bachelet promulgated a multilateral trade deal with New Zealand, [[Singapore]] and [[Brunei]], the [[Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership]] (P4), also signed under Lagos' presidency. Regionally, she has signed bilateral free trade agreements with [[Panama]], [[Peru]] and [[Colombia]]. | In 2002 Chile signed an association agreement with the [[European Union]] (comprising a free trade agreement and political and cultural agreements), in 2003, an extensive free trade agreement with the United States, and in 2004 with [[South Korea]], expecting a boom in import and export of local produce and becoming a regional trade-hub. Continuing the coalition's free trade strategy, in August 2006 President Bachelet promulgated a [[free trade agreement]] with [[China]] (signed under the previous administration of Ricardo Lagos), the first Chinese free trade agreement with a Latin American nation; similar deals with Japan and India were promulgated in August 2007. In October 2006, Bachelet promulgated a multilateral trade deal with New Zealand, [[Singapore]] and [[Brunei]], the [[Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership]] (P4), also signed under Lagos' presidency. Regionally, she has signed bilateral free trade agreements with [[Panama]], [[Peru]] and [[Colombia]]. | ||
After 20 years, Chile went in a new direction with the win of center-right [[Sebastián Piñera]],<ref name="servel">{{Cite web |url=http://www.servel.cl/servel/Controls/Neochannels/Neo_CH397/Deploy/cronograma_2009.pdf |title=Cronograma Electoral |access-date=2013-03-14 |archive-date=2011-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617112708/http://www.servel.cl/servel/Controls/Neochannels/Neo_CH397/Deploy/cronograma_2009.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Chilean President Sworn In, Faces Reconstruction Challenges |url=https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/country-industry-forecasting.html?id=106594482 |work=www.spglobal.com |access-date=2022-11-29 |archive-date=2022-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129124839/https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/country-industry-forecasting.html?id=106594482 |url-status=live }}</ref> in the [[2009–10 Chilean presidential election|Chilean presidential election of 2009–2010]], defeating former President [[Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle|Eduardo Frei]] in the runoff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billionaire wins Chile election |url= | After 20 years, Chile went in a new direction with the win of center-right [[Sebastián Piñera]],<ref name="servel">{{Cite web |url=http://www.servel.cl/servel/Controls/Neochannels/Neo_CH397/Deploy/cronograma_2009.pdf |title=Cronograma Electoral |access-date=2013-03-14 |archive-date=2011-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617112708/http://www.servel.cl/servel/Controls/Neochannels/Neo_CH397/Deploy/cronograma_2009.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New Chilean President Sworn In, Faces Reconstruction Challenges |url=https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/country-industry-forecasting.html?id=106594482 |work=www.spglobal.com |access-date=2022-11-29 |archive-date=2022-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129124839/https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/country-industry-forecasting.html?id=106594482 |url-status=live }}</ref> in the [[2009–10 Chilean presidential election|Chilean presidential election of 2009–2010]], defeating former President [[Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle|Eduardo Frei]] in the runoff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billionaire wins Chile election |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8464136.stm |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129124840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8464136.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
On 27 February 2010, Chile was struck by an 8.8 M<sub>W</sub> [[2010 Chile earthquake|earthquake]], the fifth largest ever recorded at the time. More than 500 people died (most from the ensuing [[tsunami]]) and over a million people lost their homes. The earthquake was also followed by multiple aftershocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australia-times.com.au/world/article.php?id=501|title=US ready to help Chile: Obama|publisher=The Australia Times|access-date=3 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427081917/http://www.australia-times.com.au/world/article.php?id=501|archive-date=27 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Initial damage estimates were in the range of US$15–30 billion, around 10 to 15 percent of Chile's real gross domestic product.<ref>[http://www.contractmagazine.com/contract/content_display/design/news/e3i128fcc3d3e64156a013dfae605b73a5b More Quakes Shake Chile’s Infrastructure], Adam Figman, ''Contract Magazine'', 1 March 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114030306/http://www.contractmagazine.com/contract/content_display/design/news/e3i128fcc3d3e64156a013dfae605b73a5b |date=November 14, 2014 }}</ref> | On 27 February 2010, Chile was struck by an 8.8 M<sub>W</sub> [[2010 Chile earthquake|earthquake]], the fifth largest ever recorded at the time. More than 500 people died (most from the ensuing [[tsunami]]) and over a million people lost their homes. The earthquake was also followed by multiple aftershocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australia-times.com.au/world/article.php?id=501|title=US ready to help Chile: Obama|publisher=The Australia Times|access-date=3 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427081917/http://www.australia-times.com.au/world/article.php?id=501|archive-date=27 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Initial damage estimates were in the range of US$15–30 billion, around 10 to 15 percent of Chile's real gross domestic product.<ref>[http://www.contractmagazine.com/contract/content_display/design/news/e3i128fcc3d3e64156a013dfae605b73a5b More Quakes Shake Chile’s Infrastructure], Adam Figman, ''Contract Magazine'', 1 March 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114030306/http://www.contractmagazine.com/contract/content_display/design/news/e3i128fcc3d3e64156a013dfae605b73a5b |date=November 14, 2014 }}</ref> | ||
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On 19 December 2021, leftist candidate, the 35-year-old former student protest leader, [[Gabriel Boric]], won Chile's presidential [[2021 Chilean general election|election]] to become the country's youngest ever leader, after the most polarizing election since democracy was restored, defeating right wing pinochetist and leader of the [[Republican Party (Chile, 2019)|Chilean Republican Party]] [[José Antonio Kast]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Leftist Gabriel Boric to become Chile's youngest ever president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59715941 |work=BBC News |date=20 December 2021 |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220000309/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59715941 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Montes|first=Federico Rivas Molina, Rocío|date=2021-11-19|title=Chile cierra la campaña de las elecciones más polarizadas de su historia|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-11-19/chile-cierra-la-campana-de-las-elecciones-mas-polarizadas-de-su-historia.html|access-date=2021-12-24|website=El País|language=es|archive-date=2021-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224203040/https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-11-19/chile-cierra-la-campana-de-las-elecciones-mas-polarizadas-de-su-historia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The center-left and center-right political conglomerates alternating power during the last 32 years (ex-[[Concertación]] and [[Chile Vamos]]) ended up in fourth and fifth place of the presidential election. | On 19 December 2021, leftist candidate, the 35-year-old former student protest leader, [[Gabriel Boric]], won Chile's presidential [[2021 Chilean general election|election]] to become the country's youngest ever leader, after the most polarizing election since democracy was restored, defeating right wing pinochetist and leader of the [[Republican Party (Chile, 2019)|Chilean Republican Party]] [[José Antonio Kast]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Leftist Gabriel Boric to become Chile's youngest ever president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59715941 |work=BBC News |date=20 December 2021 |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220000309/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59715941 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Montes|first=Federico Rivas Molina, Rocío|date=2021-11-19|title=Chile cierra la campaña de las elecciones más polarizadas de su historia|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-11-19/chile-cierra-la-campana-de-las-elecciones-mas-polarizadas-de-su-historia.html|access-date=2021-12-24|website=El País|language=es|archive-date=2021-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224203040/https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-11-19/chile-cierra-la-campana-de-las-elecciones-mas-polarizadas-de-su-historia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The center-left and center-right political conglomerates alternating power during the last 32 years (ex-[[Concertación]] and [[Chile Vamos]]) ended up in fourth and fifth place of the presidential election. | ||
=== Gabriel Boric presidency ( | === Gabriel Boric presidency (2022–2026) === | ||
On 11 March 2022, Gabriel Boric was sworn in as president to succeed outgoing President Sebastian Pinera.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gabriel Boric, 36, sworn in as president to herald new era for Chile |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/gabriel-boric-chile-president-new-era |work=The Guardian |date=11 March 2022 |language=en |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312233147/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/gabriel-boric-chile-president-new-era |url-status=live }}</ref> Out of 24 members of Gabriel Boric's female-majority Cabinet, 14 | On 11 March 2022, Gabriel Boric was sworn in as president to succeed outgoing President Sebastian Pinera.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gabriel Boric, 36, sworn in as president to herald new era for Chile |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/gabriel-boric-chile-president-new-era |work=The Guardian |date=11 March 2022 |language=en |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312233147/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/11/gabriel-boric-chile-president-new-era |url-status=live }}</ref> Out of 24 members of Gabriel Boric's female-majority Cabinet, 14 were women.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile's president-elect names progressive, majority-women cabinet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/21/chile-gabriel-boric-cabinet-majority-women |work=The Guardian |date=21 January 2022 |language=en |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125135734/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/21/chile-gabriel-boric-cabinet-majority-women |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
On 4 September 2022, voters rejected overwhelmingly the [[2022 proposed Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile|new constitution]] in the [[2022 Chilean constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]], which was put forward by the [[Constitutional Convention (Chile)|constitutional convention]] and strongly backed by President Boric.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile constitution: Voters overwhelmingly reject radical change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-62792025 |work=BBC News |date=5 September 2022 |access-date=14 September 2022 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905063525/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-62792025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to the dismissal of the proposed constitution the issue of constitutional [[plurinationalism]] was noted in polls as particularly divisive in Chile.<ref>{{Cite news |title=El debate sobre el reconocimiento del "Estado plurinacional" divide a los chilenos |url=https://elpais.com/chile/2022-08-31/la-plurinacionalidad-de-la-nueva-constitucion-no-genera-consenso-entre-los-chilenos.html |last=Montes |first=Rocío |date=2022-08-31 |access-date=2022-09-24 |work=[[El País]] |language=Spanish |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923213400/https://elpais.com/chile/2022-08-31/la-plurinacionalidad-de-la-nueva-constitucion-no-genera-consenso-entre-los-chilenos.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2023, the far-right Republican Party became first in Chilean Constitutional Council [[2023 Chilean Constitutional Council election|election]].The Republican party won 22 out of the 51 seats, with right-wing parties winning another 11 seats, in the assembly tasked with drawing up Chile's new constitution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile constitution: Far-right party biggest in new assembly |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65524068 |date=8 May 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, Chilean voters rejected in a [[2023 Chilean constitutional referendum|referendum]] a proposed new constitution drafted by a conservative-led committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile voters reject conservative constitution in second referendum |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231217-chile-voters-reject-conservative-constitution-to-replace-dictatorship-era-text |work=France 24 |date=17 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> | On 4 September 2022, voters rejected overwhelmingly the [[2022 proposed Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile|new constitution]] in the [[2022 Chilean constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]], which was put forward by the [[Constitutional Convention (Chile)|constitutional convention]] and strongly backed by President Boric.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile constitution: Voters overwhelmingly reject radical change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-62792025 |work=BBC News |date=5 September 2022 |access-date=14 September 2022 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905063525/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-62792025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to the dismissal of the proposed constitution the issue of constitutional [[plurinationalism]] was noted in polls as particularly divisive in Chile.<ref>{{Cite news |title=El debate sobre el reconocimiento del "Estado plurinacional" divide a los chilenos |url=https://elpais.com/chile/2022-08-31/la-plurinacionalidad-de-la-nueva-constitucion-no-genera-consenso-entre-los-chilenos.html |last=Montes |first=Rocío |date=2022-08-31 |access-date=2022-09-24 |work=[[El País]] |language=Spanish |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923213400/https://elpais.com/chile/2022-08-31/la-plurinacionalidad-de-la-nueva-constitucion-no-genera-consenso-entre-los-chilenos.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2023, the far-right Republican Party became first in Chilean Constitutional Council [[2023 Chilean Constitutional Council election|election]].The Republican party won 22 out of the 51 seats, with right-wing parties winning another 11 seats, in the assembly tasked with drawing up Chile's new constitution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile constitution: Far-right party biggest in new assembly |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65524068 |date=8 May 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, Chilean voters rejected in a [[2023 Chilean constitutional referendum|referendum]] a proposed new constitution drafted by a conservative-led committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile voters reject conservative constitution in second referendum |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231217-chile-voters-reject-conservative-constitution-to-replace-dictatorship-era-text |work=France 24 |date=17 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
On 14 December 2025, right-wing candidate José Antonio Kast won the governing left-wing coalition candidate, [[Jeannette Jara|Jeanette Jara]], in the second round of the [[2025 Chilean general election|presidential election]] with more than 58% of the vote .<ref>{{cite news |title=Chile elects far-right José Antonio Kast as next president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kde07lvvro |work=www.bbc.com |date=15 December 2025}}</ref> | |||
=== José Antonio Kast presidency (2026- ) === | |||
On 11 March 2026, José Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile’s president, meaning the most significant rightward shift in Chile since the return of democracy in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kast takes office as Chile marks its sharpest shift to the right since dictatorship |url=https://apnews.com/article/chile-kast-inauguration-new-administration-00d398c96e0ff25378838dc8831dcbe8 |work=AP News |date=11 March 2026 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||