What was the impact of the Cold War on Chilean democracy?

The Cold War significantly undermined Chilean democracy, leading to a military coup and a subsequent authoritarian regime.

The Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, had a profound impact on Chilean democracy. Chile, like many other countries, became a battleground for the ideological struggle between communism and capitalism. The United States, fearing the spread of communism in Latin America, actively intervened in Chilean politics, undermining the democratic process.

In 1970, Salvador Allende, a Marxist, was democratically elected as the President of Chile. His election was a significant concern for the United States, which feared that Chile could become another Cuba. The Nixon administration, therefore, decided to 'make the economy scream' in Chile to prevent Allende from consolidating his position. The CIA was involved in covert operations to destabilise Allende's government, including economic sabotage and support for opposition groups.

The economic crisis and political instability created by these interventions set the stage for a military coup. In 1973, General Augusto Pinochet overthrew Allende's government, marking the end of democracy in Chile. Pinochet's regime was characterised by widespread human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial executions. The regime also implemented neoliberal economic policies, which led to significant economic inequality.

The Cold War also influenced the international response to the coup and the subsequent authoritarian regime. The United States, despite its rhetoric of promoting democracy, supported Pinochet's regime because it was anti-communist. Other countries, influenced by their alignment in the Cold War, also responded based on their ideological stance rather than the democratic principles.

In conclusion, the Cold War had a significant impact on Chilean democracy. The fear of communism led the United States to intervene in Chilean politics, undermining the democratic process and leading to a military coup. The subsequent authoritarian regime, supported by the United States and other countries due to their Cold War alignments, further eroded democracy in Chile.