Chile after WWII

1
Chile after WWII
2
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

3
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  ppl from taking part in elections (repealed in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)

4

• 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 Chiles
  mining industries of copper, gold, silver, iron,
  coal
• Big changes occurred in 1970, however....

5
Election of Salvador Allende in 1970
6
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

7
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

8

• 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

9
The Pinochet Regime 1973-1990