1973 coup

The 1973 coup in Chile was when the military, led by General Augusto Pinochet, overthrew President Salvador Allende’s democratic government. On September 11, 1973, tanks and soldiers attacked the presidential palace, ending Allende’s presidency. The coup was prompted by political unrest, economic problems, and opposition from the military and conservative sectors. Following the overthrow, Pinochet established a military dictatorship that lasted until 1990, marked by repression of opponents, censorship, and human rights abuses. The event was a turning point in Chilean history, influencing its political landscape for decades.