U.S vs. Chile's Socialist Experiment
Rosen, Fred
Steven Volk notes that Salvador Allende "promised to lead Chile through a peaceful transition to socialism, using the legal system of Chile to establish a new economic and political order." After...
...A doctor, he instituted a free milk program for malnourished children, He called for a policy of international independence...
...A military coup failed in June 1973, provoking worker occupation of many factories...
...In August 1971 Washington denied Chile Export-Import Bank credits...
...And the popular support for his Popular Unity (UP) government continued to grow as measured by strong electoral results in interim municipal and congressional elections...
...A year later a Washington-backed truck owners strike paralyzed the country...
...After taking office, Allende quickly began a program of nationalizing Chile's copper mines and incorporating many industries into the "social sector...
...On September 11, 1973, the Pinochet coup-heartily welcomed and supported by the United States-finally destroyed Chile's experiment in socialist democracy...
...Washington's attitude was encapsulated in Henry Kissinger's famous remark just before Allende was elected in 1970: "I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist because of the irresponsibility of its own people...
Vol. 36 • November 2002 • No. 3
