Question

How were the three democratic governments of Allende's Chile,Walesa's Poland and Michelle's Chile different in their approach towards social and economic matters?Explain

Answer 1

The 1973 Chilean coup was a watershed event in the  history of Chile.Salvador Allende (pronounced Salvador Ayen-they) was the founder leader of the Socialist Party of Chile.He led the Popular Unity Coalition. ( It was a coalition of left wing, socialist and communist political parties in Chile)In the presidential election of 1970, Salvador Allende was elected the President of Chile.He had taken several policy decisions like reform of educational system, free milk for children and redistribution of lands to the landless farmers etc. Besides these, he opposed the drainage of valuable resources like copper from Chile by foreign companies.The poor, farmers and the landless workers were mostly benefited by these policies, but the rich, the landlords, the Church and some other political parties opposed his policies.On 11th September, 1973 a military coup under the leadership of General Augusto Pinochet (pronounced Pinoshe) took place.United States of America (USA) had supported and funded for the coup of 1973.On the morning of 11th September, 1973, the military took over the seaport. (Valparaiso)The Defence Minister of Chile (Orlando Letelier) was arrested by the military when he arrived at his office.When Salvador Allende, the then President of Chile was asked by the military Commanders to resign, he refused either to resign or to leave the country to save his life.Realizing the danger to the country and to his life, he addressed the people on the radio.Then the military started bombing the President’s Palace (La Moneda) and President Salvador Allende was killed.In this way a government elected by the people was overthrown by the military and a military dictatorship was established.After the death of Salvador Allende, General Augusto Pinochet became the President of Chile and ruled for a period of 17 years with effect from 1973 to 1990.His rule was marked by numerous human rights violations.Alberto Bachelet, a general of Chilean Air Force who refused to join the coup was imprisoned along with his wife (Angela Jeria Gomez) and daughter (Michelle Bachelet) and tortured till death in 1974.In a referendum held in 1988, the Chileans voted against the continuance of Pinochet’s Government.Pinochet first lost his political power and then his military powers.This led to democratic elections for the Presidency and Parliament.Since then Chile has held five presidential elections in which different political parties have participated.Michelle Bachelet, the daughter of Alberto Bachelet was elected President of Chile in January, 2006.Michelle Bachelet became the first woman to be a Defence Minister in Latin America.Michelle Bachelet was a medical doctor and a moderate socialist.

 

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