History of Chile
Chile ’s history is as extensive as its coastline is long. The northern
region of Chile originally formed part of the Incan empire, while more southerly
regions were occupied by other, more nomadic indigenous groups. Warlike Mapuche
tribes, who held the Incas back, dominated the South of the country.
Spanish Conquest and Settlement
The first Spanish settlements were established in the mid-sixteenth century: Santiago in 1541 and Concepción in 1550. Spanish settlers and privates, mainly from Andalucia, were attracted to central Chile because of the pleasant climate and fertile soil. The experiences of the early settlers were not easy however, as they faced repeated assaults from the Mapuches. The on-and-off war with them continued for several centuries.
By the mid-seventeenth century, the population of the Spanish settlements and their surroundings numbered approximately 100,000. This population grew to about 500,000 by mid-eighteenth century and to one million by 1830. Those with European blood were concentrated in central Chile, between Santiago and Concepción; few settled in the northern and southern regions. This pattern of dispersion began to change only in the second half of the nineteenth century, with the rapid growth of mining activities and the immigration of some other Europeans.
Struggle for Independence
Under Spanish colonial rule, northern and central Chile were part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, yet by the early 19th century, European settlers had already made substantial moves toward independence from Spain. The first independent junta was formed on September 18, 1810. Till now, that date represents the Chile`s National Day.
At that time, central Chile was to a large extent controlled by a small, upper class of Creoles (locally born Europeans), most of whom owned large estates. A period of internal instability and strife followed, which resulted in the restoration of Spanish rule in 1814. Combined Argentinian and Chilean forces, under Jose de San Mart[in and Bernardo O'Higgins, crossed the Andes from Argentina to defeat and drive out the Spanish army. Chile's independence was restored in 1818, with O'Higgins as Chile 's first president. Though Chile's political history since then has been erratic, the country has enjoyed constitutional rule and a republican form of government throughout much of its history.
War in Latin America
The War of the Pacific, fought more than a century ago against Peru and Bolivia, saw Chile come into some particularly important territory: the mineral-rich Atacama Desert. Chile occupied Lima during the course of the war, and was successful in winning the disputed territory. Bolivia lost its outlet to the open sea, and Peru the Tarapaca province.
The Socialist Experiment
The next major rift in the nation's history occurred in 1970 when Salvador Allende became the first Marxist to be freely elected as President in Latin America. Economic difficulties and political unrest followed as Allende set about nationalising Chilean mining, industry and public services. Allende’s program produced an unsustainable government fiscal deficit, which was exacerbated by the dramatic drop in world copper prices. This in turn led to uncontrollable inflation and the inevitable civilian unrest and industrial strikes that followed. Tensions culminated in September 1973 when a military coup led the death of Allende. A military junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet took over the country, marking the beginning of a seventeen year military dictatorship of silent brutality.
The Military Government
Pinochet’s regime was characterised by successful reform. Allende’s socialist policies were overturned and a free-market economy was adopted. Over the next fifteen years inflation was reduced and the fortunes of the once ailing economy were reversed. During these 15 years however, Pinochet ruled the country with an iron fist. Critics of his regime were quickly silenced (and often disappeared altogether) as the General isolated Chile from most of the world.
Return to Democracy
Yet Chile 's democratic tradition was revived after Pinochet decisively lost a 1988 plebiscite (actually held as a means of solidifying his presidential powers for a further 8 years). An election held in 1989 saw the Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwinr, leader of the Coalition of Parties for Democracy, elected to a four-year term. He ruled the country promoting a culture of respect for human rights and economic development with equity. The Aylwin Government set about investigating human rights abuses by the State and compensating their victims, injecting more democracy into the political arena, improving social conditions for the poor and adopting a policy of relative caution towards the country’s macroeconomic conditions.
Today, there is great public demand for the prosecution of Pinochet for crimes he allegedly committed as the country's leader - including the murders of more than 3,000 dissidents. The general was judged unfit to stand trial because it's claimed he suffers from brain damage.
In 1999 Ricardo Lagos won the presidential elections and took the Executive Power in 2000. The Chilean nation is enjoying a prosperous few years characterised by an ongoing ambitious programme of health, welfare and educational reforms. President Lagos has also made a considerable effort to redress the human rights abuses of the Pinochet era.General elections are programed for December 2005, and a new administration will take over the power in March 2006.
In January 2006, Michelle Bachelet Jeria was elected as the first female President of Chile. During President Lagos Government she held the possition of Minister of Health (2000-2002) and Minister of Defence (2002-2004).