1. A History of Chile

2. 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

3. Even the Incas: - Extended empire into central Chile - But northern area’s barrenness prevented settlement

4. 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

5. 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

6. Bernardo O’Higgins: - Nationalist leader of Chile - In 1818 independence was achieved a) With assistance from José de San Martín

7. 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

8. And the suppression of the Mapuche Indians

9. By the late 19 th century, a parliamentary democracy had degenerated into an oligarchy

10. And there was conflict between Liberals and Conservatives - Liberals wanted reforms while Conservatives wanted to maintain the status quo

11. Eduardo Frei Montalva - A Christian Democrat president in 1964 - Wanted reforms - But not enough for liberals and too much for conservatives

12. Salvador Allende: - In 1970, the Marxist Allende was named President - Nationalization of key industries and land expropriation a) Nationalization of copper mines

13. But there was opposition to Allende’s “Chilean Road to Socialism” - And in 1973, Chilean society split apart

14. 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

15. 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

16. Thousands died and thousands fled

17. And then in 1988: - Pinochet miscalculated a) Lost plebiscite - By 1990, democracy was restored in Chile

18. But controlled the army until 1998

19. But then accused of corruption - $28 million in secret bank accounts - And on trial for human rights abuses

20. Spent remaining years in Chile fighting charges