Chile
and World War II
World War II brought
tension to Chile. It was feared by the United States that Chile would favor
Nazi Germany because of the many German Chileans in Chile. However, the
U.S. had little to fear because in 1944, Chile entered the war on the side
of the allies.
Allende
vs. Pinochet
President Salvador
Allende Gossens took office in the 1970's. He was a part of the Socialist
party. In 1973, Major General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte seized power in a
coup d'etat killing Allende in an attack on the presidential palace. Anyone
who supported Allende would be tortured and killed by Pinochet's military
supporters. Using these same tactics, Pinochet's government fought it's
opponents. Pinochet's new government reversed some of the changes made
by Allende such as cutting back many social programs. The United Nations
condemned Pinochet's government as one of the worst when speaking of
human-rights.
Society
Changes
Education
Throughout the history
of Chile, education has been recognized as being important. The universities
are some of the finest in the entire continent. With Pinochet's leadership,
however, there were many setbacks because he put military government ahead
of the needs in schooling. In 1973, he combined the two. Military leaders
replaced civilian teachers. He goal was to make, "good workers, good citizens,
and good patriots." They taught Christian beliefs, patriotism, and respect
for family, however discouraged Marxism and Communism.
Health Care
In the early 1970's
Chile's health care was one of the best in the world. However, when Pinochet
seized power, he cut spending money of welfare. Because of this, Chile's
health care deteriorated. Doctors left the country in search of better
jobs. Although religious organizations opened clinics to take the place
of missing doctors, they were usually overcrowded.
Santiago Torture
Center
At least 2,025 people
disappeared or were killed at the hands of Pinochet's military supporters.
Nearly all of them were tortured. These events took place at a torture
center in Santiago. Most of the torture and abuse was physcological, however,
physical torture involved being hit and suffering electrodes being placed
at various places on the body. They were hypnotized and interrogated several
times a day. Innocent victims homes were invaded without warrant, and they
were taken without reason.
In 1990, Pinochet's military government ended. Although he still was commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he promised to resign in 1997. Recently, the United States has him on trial for the many crimes he committed.