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PDC (Christian Democratic Party) Gains Power
The PDC, led by Eduardo Frei, embarks on a campaign of social reform in the late 50's early 60's. The party's electoral emblem symbolized the party's claim that both capitalism and socialism could be transcended in a "communitarian" society. -
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Significant Events in Chile's Modern History
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9.5 Earthquake Hits Chile
The largest eartquake on record hits Chile, causing a tsunami and massive damage and killing an estimated 6000 people. -
Frei Wins Presidential Elections
PDC Candidate, Eduardo Frei running on a campaign of "revolution in libery", wins the 1964 Presidential election by 56.1% of the vote. Salvador Allende, leader of the Popular Action Front, came in second with 38.9% of the vote. -
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Eduardo Frei and the PDC govern Chile
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'Chileanization' of American-owned Copper mines under Frei
The acquisition of a 51% holding in several large American owned copper mines as part of a "Chileanization" policy to take back control over Chile's natural resources and exports. -
Trade Unions Grow
Simplification in the legal procedures allows trade unions in the countryside to double from 1965 to 1970. -
9.0 Eartquake Hits Chile
Huge earthquake hits Chile, causing a dam break that killed 300 people. -
Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR) Created
The radical leftist group, the MIR, was created at the University of Concepción in August, 1965. -
Social reform under the PDC
The PDC embarked on an ambitious social reform movement that included: Promoción popular- the fostering of networks of local, self-helping organizations. Included residents committees, mothers' centers, parents groups, youth clubs, and sports associations. Housing, education, medical and agrarian reform were also part of the PDC's program. -
Student Rebellions at Universities in Chile
Student rebellions at the Catholic University of Valparaiso, then the Catholic University, Santiago, then the University of Chile. -
Forced land seizures
Forced land seizures, or 'tomas' occur frequently in the later years of the PDC's rule, as leftist groups and rural peasant unions became impatient with the speed of reform. -
Attempted Coup "Tacnazo)
An attempted coup by one battalion of the army causes Frei's government to make concessions and pay more attention to the military -
Unidad Popular, Popular Unity formed
A left-wing alliance is formed called Unidad Popular (UP), with Salvador Allende as its leader. -
Salvador Allende wins the presidency
Salvador Allende and UP win a close victory for the Presidential Election. -
Fascist Group, Patria y Libertad formed
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Allende embarks on ambitious program of social reform
Allende's "road to socialism" included vastly increasing funding for social programs and expropriating private businesses. -
Keynsian Approach to Economics
Public Works program for the unemployed to stimulate the economy. -
Allende Nationalizes the Copper Industry
Allende purchased the American-owned Kennecott and Anaconda copper mines with 30 year bonds, and declared that instead of being entitled to compensation, that they should pay the state $78 million and $310 million respectively, for excess profits while operating before nationalization. -
American Credit Squeeze - The 'Invisible Blockade"
The United States, upset about the reforms taking place under Allende and the nationalization of American companies freezes credit and trade with Chile. -
Truckers Strike Provokes Crisis
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Trade Deficit rises to $255 million
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Inflation getting out of control
By 1973, UP's economic policy was failing, with inflation and deficit getting out of control. Much of this had to do with pressures from the United States and the right in Chile. -
Divisions and Tensions
Divisions between the left and right become more pronounced in 1973 and tensions rise. -
Coup D'etat
On the morning of September 11, 1973, the navy seized control over Concepción and Valpariso and attacked La Moneda palace where Salvador Allende and his aides refused to surrender. Fighter jets bombed the palace, setting it ablaze, and the infantry attacked. Several of Allende's aids surrendered but Allende himself was killed in the afternoon after giving his famous last speech over the only radio station that wasn't yet under military control. -
Pinochet's Rule Begins
Shortly after the coup, General Augusto Pinochet imposed marshall law on Chile, closing congress, banning UP and other political parties, imposing a strict nighttime curfew, destroying left-wing publications and purging the public administration of Allende's supporters or sympathizers. Many thousands of people were ruthlessly hunted down and detained in concentration camps set up throughout the country, where they were interrogated with torture, and many were executed or 'disappeared'. -
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Neo-Liberal Economic Policy Imposed
An extreme neo-liberal economic policy is imposed in Chile with advice from the Chicago School of Economics and economist Milton Friedman. All of Allende's social reforms and economic policies are reversed. -
Disappeared "do not legally exist"
Sergio Diez, Chilean delegate to the United Nations declares before the General Assembly that "many of the supposedly disappeared do not legally exist." -
The "Beagle Conflict" brings Chile and Argentina to the brink of war
A dispute between Chile and Argentina over the rights to the Picton, Lennox, and Nueva islands in the southern tip of both countries brings them to the brink of war. -
Public Protests against Pinochet
Some of the first public protests and strikes ocurred in 1983, 10 years after the coup d'etat. People were protesting the dictatorship and its brutal history of murder, torture and disappearances. Each protest was responded to violently by the military and the police with people being killed and injured. -
Plebiscite
A plebiscite was held to decide whether Pinochet would continue to rule the country or whether there should be democratic elections. "No" (to Pinochet) won with 54% of the vote. -
Santiago Smog
Smog in Santiago starts to become a noticable problem, due in large part to the increase in the amount of cars on the road and the fact that Santiago is surrounded by mountains, creating a kettle effect on the air in the city. -
Patricio Aylwin Elected President
The first democratically elected leader since Allende's election in 1970, Patricio Aylwin takes office and the transition to democracy begins. -
National Truth and Reconciliation Report Released
The National Truth and Reconciliation Report, also known as the 'Rettig Report', is released which documents the cases of political executions and disappearances under the Pinochet dictatorship. No mention is made, however, to cases of exile, torture and other human rights abuses to which hundreds of thousands of Chileans suffered. -
Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle Elected President
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Pinochet becomes Senator for life
Pinochet changes from General to Senator for life. -
Arrest of Pinochet in Britain
While visiting the UK for back surgery, Augusto Pinochet is arrested and an extradition attempt is made by Spain for the murder, torture and disappearance of Spanish citizens. -
Michelle Bachelet Elected President
Chile's first female president is elected. Daugther of a murdered military man who disagreed with Pinochet and herself a survivor of torture at Villa Grimaldi, Bachelet's election is an important moment in Chile's history. -
Pinochet Dies
At the age of 91, Augusto Pinochet dies of heart complications. At the time of his death he was being investigated and tried for human rights violations, fraud and embezzlement, among other things. His death sparked celebrations amongst his detractors and vigils amongst his mourners. -
Sebastian Piñera elected President
Piñera, a billionaire buisinessman becomes Chile's current president. -
33 Trapped Chilean Miners Rescued after over 2 months underground
