Why did military leader overthrow the government of Chile and Argentina in the 1970
In the 1970s, military leaders in Chile and Argentina overthrew their respective governments for different reasons.
In Chile, General Augusto Pinochet led a military coup against the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973. The coup was backed by the United States government and conservative Chilean elites who opposed Allende's socialist policies. Allende's government had implemented significant social and economic reforms, including nationalization of key industries, land reforms, and wealth redistribution. These policies faced staunch opposition from the military, business interests, and right-wing political parties, who accused Allende of communism and blamed him for the country's economic hardships. The coup resulted in Allende's death and the establishment of a military dictatorship led by Pinochet, which lasted until 1990.
In Argentina, the military junta, known as the National Reorganization Process, staged a coup on March 24, 1976, overthrowing the government of President Isabel Perón. The coup was fueled by a combination of factors, including political instability, economic crisis, and a perceived threat from left-wing guerrilla groups like the Montoneros and ERP (Revolutionary Armed Forces). The military junta justified its actions by claiming to restore order, combat terrorism, and address economic problems. However, the dictatorship embarked on a brutal campaign of repression, known as the "Dirty War," where thousands of people were abducted, tortured, and killed for their political beliefs. The military dictatorship continued until 1983.
In both Chile and Argentina, the military leaders believed that they needed to intervene to rescue their countries from what they perceived as dangerous political ideologies and threats to national security. However, their actions led to extensive human rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and long-lasting scars on their respective societies.