Transcript Chile after WWII
Chile after WWII
Chile in WWII
• • • • Chile was not an active player in WWII, but was initially friendly towards the Axis powers In 1942, facing pressure from the U.S. & other allies, they broke relations with the Axis Despite this, they never declared war on Germany or Italy Chile did declare war on Japan in April 1945
Chile in the Cold War
• • • Socialist & communist ideas were popular in Chile, making the country a focal point for the U.S. after WWII The official government, however, wanted to keep the support of the U.S. & its valuable loans 1948 Law of Permanent Defense of the Democracy: outlawed communist party in Chile, banned 20,000 ppl from taking part in elections (repealed in 1958)
• • • From 1946-1970, the presidents of Chile could be best described as pro-US, nationalist, and right-wing The government had two main economic goals: maintain ties with the US, and promote Chile’s mining industries of copper, gold, silver, iron, & coal Big changes occurred in 1970, however....
Election of Salvador Allende in 1970
Election of Salvador Allende
• • • • • Allende ran for president in ‘52, ‘58, ‘64, and ‘70 Allende became the first Marxist elected in Latin America through open elections, which scared the poopy out of the U.S.
Under Allende, Chile nationalized industries, increased public education, & enacted land reform Allende re-established ties with Cuba, & Castro visited Chile in 1971 (further scaring the US) US President Nixon ordered the CIA to begin to put pressure on Allende to drift back to US friendly policies
The 1973 Coup
• • • The Chilean Congress & Supreme Court were constantly at odds with Allende; in 1973 both issued resolutions that accused Allende of totalitarianism Strikes & protests flared up against Allende due to inflation, decline in copper prices, & poor food production due to land reform The CIA had spent $6-8million to fund protest groups
• • • On 9/11/73, the Chilean military seized control of the government & country in just a few hours Allende took refuge in La Moneda, but it was attacked & bombed Allende gave a final radio address, then (presumably) shot himself