Augusto Pinochet
Dictator of Chile
Essential Question
To what extent was Augusto Pinochet's reign over chile detrimental to the country?
Early Life
Augusto was born in 1915 in Valparaiso, Chile. He was the son of Augusto Pinochet Vera. He excelled at primary school and graduated to a military academy in Santiago in 1931.
Military Career
Augusto quickly flew through the ranks of the Chilean military moving from Second Lieutenant to Officer Chief of Staff in just 10 years. In 1948 Pinochet took a year off from school to handle a coal dispute in Lota. In 1953 being a major and sub director of the War Academy, Pinochet decides to attend law school.
"Sometimes democracy must be bathed in blood."
Salvador Allende
President of Chile before Augusto. Forced to resign due to a coup d'etat.
"I regret and suffer those losses, but it's God's will. He will pardon me if I committed excesses, but I don't think I did."
Political career/ Dictatorship
Augusto seized his power after a coup d'etat opened the position of president. In 1973 Pinochet assisted a revolution to overthrow the socialist government in place, after this uprising he became the unofficial dictator of Chile. For 17 years Pinochet maintained his power by suppressing free speech and the formation of other political parties. Harsh measures were implemented against the leftover members of the socialist party, up to 3,000 Chilean citizens were killed by the government during the time period of Pinochet's rule (1974-90). As president, Augusto introduced a new economic system that favored the wealthy and increased economic inequality. After he resigned from president in 1990, Pinochet served as Commander of the Chilean army until 1998. He finally died in 2006.
The Dictator's Shadow- Life Under Augusto Pinochet
Augusto Pinochet's Economic policys created a wealth gap that is still in existence in Chile today. He took advantage of the capitalist system and gained up