CAUSES
What economic problems did Chile face in the early 1970s?
High inflation, rising prices, and shortages.
What happened on September 11, 1973?
A U.S.-backed military coup overthrew Allende.
How many years did the military dictatorship in Chile last?
17 years.
What two ideologies were in conflict during the Cold War?
Communism and Capitalism.
Who was the socialist president overthrown in 1973?
Salvador Allende.
Which president was elected in 1970 with a socialist reform program?
Salvador Allende.
Who led the military coup in Chile?
General Augusto Pinochet.
How many people were killed or disappeared during the dictatorship?
Over 3,000 people.
What revolution increased U.S. fears of communism in Latin America?
The Cuban Revolution (1959).
Which dictator ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990?
Augusto Pinochet.
What did Allende do with industries and land?
He nationalized industries and redistributed land.
What institution was dissolved after the coup?
The Chilean Congress.
What kind of economic reforms were implemented under Pinochet?
Neoliberal reforms (privatization, free markets).
What organization did Chile lead with other dictatorships to eliminate left-wing opponents?
Operation Condor.
Which U.S. president approved covert actions against Allende?
Richard Nixon.
Why did the United States fear Allende’s government?
They feared the spread of communism in Latin America.
What group did Pinochet create to persecute opponents?
DINA (the secret police).
What economic model was promoted by the “Chicago Boys”?
Neoliberalism: minimal state role, free markets
How did the U.S. justify its support for Pinochet during the Cold War?
As a strategic move to stop communism.
Who was Henry Kissinger and what did he do in relation to Chile?
U.S. Secretary of State who supported the 1973 coup.
Name two ways the CIA intervened in Chile before the coup.
They funded opposition groups and spread propaganda
How did Pinochet’s regime come to an end in 1990?
A 1988 plebiscite led to democratic elections
What role did the 1988 plebiscite play in Chile’s return to democracy?
It rejected Pinochet’s rule and triggered the democratic transition.
Explain how Chile became a “battleground” during the Cold War
U.S. intervention and Chile's role in the anti-communist fight.
Why did Michelle Bachelet become a symbol of human rights?
She was a victim of the dictatorship and later defended human rights.