Allende's government

Salvador Allende was the first socialist president of Chile, elected in 1970. He aimed to implement sweeping reforms, including nationalizing industries, redistributing land, and improving education and healthcare. Allende's government faced significant challenges, including economic instability, inflation, and opposition from both the business community and the U.S. government, which feared the spread of communism in Latin America. His term was marked by social polarization and unrest. In 1973, a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet overthrew Allende, resulting in a dictatorship that lasted nearly two decades, fundamentally altering Chilean society and politics.