Augusto+Pinochet+Ugarte+-+J+Sidman

**Augusto Pinochet Ugarte - President of Chile 1974 - 1990**


The president before Pinochet, Salvador Allende, wanted to make Chile a socialist country. Pinochet came to power when he participated in a military coup on September 11, 1973. They overthrew the democratically elected government and Salvador Allende, murdering him, though they claimed he had committed suicide. The U.S.A. had supported and encouraged all right-wing paramilitary groups and military leaders who were planning to overthrow Allende. Pinochet emerged as a dominant figure in military junta, a group of military officers who rule a country after seizing power, and was named president. It became official in 1974.

Through his presidency, he committed many human rights violations, including murder and torture. During his presidency, more than 3,197 people were murdered who were opposed to his rule. He stifled the opposition using force and torture. More than 950 disappeared during his rule and more than 28,000 people were tortured. More reasons as to why he is considered a "bad person" is because when he came to power, he dissolved congress, censored the press, cracked down on labor and land reform movements, and banned certain political parties. He murdered left-wing party, union, and labor leaders and had all supporters of Allende either imprisoned, exiled, or murdered.

The things he did during his presidency for the country could either be considered bad or good, depending on your political view. Also, the way he did some things could be debatable. His supporters claim that he saved Chile from turning into a communist dictatorship, while Allende's supporters would say the exact opposite and that he was a dictator. His supporters credit him with successfully rebuilding Chile's allegedly broken economy. He returned all of the industries that had been previously government owned to previous owners. He changed the economy to promote capitalism, and he cut government spending and social subsidies, which is when the government gives money to businesses or places that lose money but are important, like a post office or a library. He lowered tariffs, which are government taxes on imports and exports. He opened Chilean markets to massive imports. Gradually, private industries recovered, prospering between 1976 and 1981. But in 1982 and 1983, the economy collapsed. Wages fell, industries closed, and working poor faced starvation. Chile exported fruits, vegetables, fish, and forestry products. There were strikes and demonstrations threatening to end his rule. He made a new constitution, which established the military's role in the government, expanded the presidents' powers, and made new laws. The constitution provided for a vote in 1988 in whether or not he will continue as Chile's president. He also renewed his crackdown on opponents and people against him that allowed him to hang onto power. Finally, the economy recovered and he let some political parties reenter the government. Some people who were exiled could come back into the country.

In 1988, Chile held a plebiscite, or vote of the people. It resulted in his defeat and he stepped down in 1990. After he was replaced, he continued to serve as head of the military until 1998. He then took the post of senator for life, though he resigned in 2002. After he stepped down from his presidency, the government appointed a commission, or group of people with certain authority, to investigate human rights abuses made during his presidency. The investigation confirmed all deaths, tortures, and disappearances. He was arrested in October of 1998 in the U.K. on international warrant and was charged with human rights violations. In the early 2000's, he was stripped of his legal immunity, which meant he could be prosecuted. In March 2002, he was released on the grounds that he was not medically fit to stand trial and he returned to Chile. He died on December 10, 2006. Two years after his death, the Pinochet Foundation Museum opened in Santiago, Chile. The entire museum is about Pinochet, and displays his desk, a collection of toy soldiers, medals, ceremonial sabres (swords), books, and uniforms. When it opened in December 2008, 150 people had already registered to visit. The opening of the museum was a huge controversy, and many people who had been opposed to him during his rule or were victims were appalled that they made something in honor of him.

Through his presidency, except for brief periods, the United States supported the Pinochet rule with financial aid. During Allende's presidency, the U.S.A. supported all of his opponents and cut off aid to the government. The U.S. encouraged all right wing paramilitary groups and military leaders who were plotting to seize control of the government. The U.S.A. worked with Chile as well as several other South American countries on Operation Condor, which was a cooperation plan between the various intelligence agencies of the countries. The operation was assisted by a U.S. communication base in Peru. Operation Condor used repression and assassination to get rid of alleged communist and socialist influences and ideas and to control active or potential opposition to any of the governments involved. Though we may never know for sure, the total number of victims is possibly over 60,000.


 * Essential Questions:**
 * Why is he considered a criminal?
 * How did he come to power?
 * How did he help/not help Chile?
 * How was he finally replaced?
 * What happened after his replacement?
 * What was the U.S.A.'s relationship with him?


 * Works Cited**

“Augusto Pinochet.” //www.wikipedia.com//. Wikipedia, 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2009. Montean, Michael. “Chile.” //www.worldbookonline.com//. World Book, 2009. Web. 27 Oct. 2009. “New Pinochet Museum .” //History Today// 1 Feb. 2009: n. pag. //InfoTrac Student Edition//. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. Oppenheim, Lois Hecht. “Pinochet Ugarte, Augusto.” //www.worldbookonline.com//. World Book, 2009. Web. 15 Oct. 2009.