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A History of Chile. The Geography of Chile: - Located on the western coast of South America - Between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean The Indigenous Cultures: - In valleys and coasts 10,000 years ago - A diversity of cultures
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The Geography of Chile: • - Located on the western coast of South America • - Between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean • The Indigenous Cultures: • - In valleys and coasts 10,000 years ago • - A diversity of cultures • a) Slash and burn farming, hunting, fishing
Even the Incas: • - Extended empire into central Chile • - But northern area’s barrenness prevented settlement
The Conquistadors: • - In 1536 came looking for gold • - In 1540, conquest • a) Pedro de Valdivia, lieutenant in Pizarro’s army • Spanish rule: • - Ruled in the interest of Spain (nearly 300 years) • - Mercantilism (the colony benefited the mother country
Napoleon: • - When Napoleon’s brother, Joseph, took Spanish throne, Chileans proclaimed independence from Napoleon’s rule • - But after the defeat of Napoleon, Spain retook the colony
Bernardo O’Higgins: • - Nationalist leader of Chile • - In 1818 independence was achieved • a) With assistance from José de San Martín
After Independence: • - The social hierarchy was nominally modified • a)Without peninsulares as the elite • b) But still highly stratified class system • - Still influenced by powerful families and the Roman Catholic Church • a) And wealthy landowners still dominated
By the late 19thcentury, a parliamentary democracy had degenerated into an oligarchy
And there was conflict between Liberals and Conservatives • - Liberals wanted reforms while Conservatives wanted to maintain the status quo
Eduardo Frei Montalva • - A Christian Democrat president in 1964 • - Wanted reforms • - But not enough for liberals and too much for conservatives
Salvador Allende: • - In 1970, the Marxist Allende was named President • - Nationalization of key industries and land expropriation • a) Nationalization of copper mines
But there was opposition to Allende’s “Chilean Road to Socialism” • - And in 1973, Chilean society split apart
September 11, 1973: • - 3,000 Chileans were killed in a military onslaught • - The Presidential palace was bombed with Allende inside • - Allende was either assassinated or committed suicide
General Augusto Pinochet: • - Led the new military government • a) 17 year rule • - Dissolved Congress and suspended constitution • - Night-time curfew • a) Limits on media • - Free market • - Brutal repression
And then in 1988: • - Pinochet miscalculated • a) Lost plebiscite • - By 1990, democracy was restored in Chile
But then accused of corruption • - $28 million in secret bank accounts • - And on trial for human rights abuses