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May 10, 1520
Chile is first found by Spanish explorer
Ferdinand Magellan, while attempting to circumnavigate the globe, lands in South America. Returning to Spain, he tells stories of vast, unclaimed lands, beginning the age of Spanish conquest in the western hemisphere. -
Feb 12, 1541
Colony is established
After the conquest of the Inca, Pedro de Valdiva, a lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro, founds the first Spanish city in Chile, Santiago. Now known as the country's capital, this historic site was one of the first settlements made by the Spanish in South America. -
Slavery ends
The Spanish crown abolishes slavery in the Latin American colonies, restoring the long lost relationship between the Natives and the Spaniards. Although the native people are still not granted citizenship in the developing colony, they are free to move about their lives under Spanish influence. -
War begins
The Chliean war for independance begins between the Spanish royalists and the Chilean pro-independance group. After Nepolean invaded Spain, the government of the Captaincy General of Chile was over thrown. Governor García Carrasco takes command. Shortly thereafter, his authority is undermined, once again upseting the balance of power in Chile. Spanish troops invade Peru and Argentinia to stop the rebellion. -
Declaration of Independence
The Independance party drafts their own Declaration of Independence, formally cutting off ties to their mother country. Although the war has not yet ended, the party begins to set up a central government for the new state. -
End of the war
After nearly sixteen years in conflict with Spain, the new Chilean government rempves all occupying Spanish troops, ending the war for independance. -
Spanish and Chile reach diplomatic relationships
Spain finally recognizes the Republic of Chile as its own independant state, twenty six years after the party declared its independance. With this act, diplomatic relationships are restored between the two countries and trade commences. -
Democracy begins
With a weak central government, the Chilean ruling officials are undermined by the working class, calling for a new constitution. Workers were granted extensive rights and the government swiched to a democracy, calling for the first ever elected Chilean president. -
Begining of Dictatiorship
General Augusto Pinochet leads the armed forces in the overthrow of the Democrats. Pinochet establishes a brutal dictatorship, ending the established constitution. -
Downfall of Pinochet
The dictatiorship of Pinochet is defeated, the Chilean constitution is re-enstated and Democracy, once again, flourishes. Pinochet is arrested of war crimes and atrocities commited during his reign.
