Chilean political history

Chile's political history is marked by periods of stability and upheaval. It gained independence from Spain in 1818, establishing a republic. In the 20th century, democracy fluctuated with military coups, most notably in 1973 when General Augusto Pinochet led a dictatorship that suppressed dissent until 1990. Since then, Chile has transitioned back to democracy, experiencing economic growth and social change. Recent years have seen debates over social inequality and demands for reforms, but the country's political institutions remain committed to democratic governance.