September 11th, 1973

Footage from the 2004 Chilean movie "Machuca"

On september 11th, 1973, A US government (and corporation) backed military coup in Chile ousted democratically elected President Salvador Allende and ended South America's oldest constitutional democracy.

Allende was considered the worlds first democratically elected marxist leader and embarked on far reaching social and economic reforms in chile. This led to hostilities with Chiles wealthy elite as well as the united states.

After the coup, the military maintained control of Chile under the leadership of General Augusto Pinochet, one of history's most infamous dictators. During his authoritarian right-wing rule, thousands died and countless more imprisoned for both their political beliefs, and their economic class.

Chile remained in this dark shadow until a new government was formed in 1990.

declassified U.S. documents have revealed that the Chilean military was both supported and funded by the U.S. government in the coup.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_FUBELT)

The American Company ITT has also been found to have assisted in the coupe financially to protect their economic interests.



I believe this is one of the more important (and overlooked) moments in both U.S. and world history. I hope you all learn something from this video.
And I hope that you realize that regardless of your political leanings, what happened in Chile in 1973 was wrong, and nothing like that should ever happen again.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Chile
• salvador
• allende
• 1973
• september
• 11
• 11th
• 911
• 9/11
• augusto
• pinochet
• military
• coupe
• machuca
• movie
• chilean
• film
• 2004

[Cheskis24]

@v19d Something you have to know is that Salvador Allende was democratically elected by the people. The feelings of "hatred" towards marxism and communist ideals are not the same as in the U.S. for example. We have a history of repression by people from the extreme right, who did not think that only poor were marxist, but also people from the middle class, educated people, intellectuals, poets, philosophers, doctors, lawyers, college students, etc.

[McCuPCaKeMaN90]

I never heard of this movie. I'm going to watch it as soon as i can the video is saddening really. Poor people, its sad that this is so overlooked and no one remembers. Never forget 9/11/73. Mucho amor por todo los Chilenos que murieron. Salvador Allende<3

[MrReco12]

@gulbirk

right wingers in USA and also Europe supported Pinochette

They also supported Hitler for similar reasons!

[LDANTIFACInOsISTEMA]

MILICOS CULIAOS !!!

[zeek1227]

Fuck chile army

[ludovico9vonz]

os EUA são responsaveis pelo caos no mundo inteiro.

[MrReco12]

@carliarago

LOL, Pinochet was never democratically elected you idiot. He held similar elections to your other idol: Adolf Hitler who was often "elected" with 93% of the vote.

Allende was actually re-elected with 44% of the vote in 1973 which(in a three way race) was larger than any of Thathcer's victories.

[Labargoth]

Two guys are facist US Americans!

[gulbirk]

@gulbirk Bullshit. You dont know jack shit about your own history. He was the leader of a MILITARY (non elected) government from 1973 to 1990. And you shouldnt even speak of terrorism, Pinochet killed loads of people with state terrorism.

[gulbirk]

@carliarago That isnt true in any way. If Pinochette was actually liked he would have simply ran for election and won. Killing a democratically elected leader, makes him a fascist. I dont care if he was only liked by 35% of the population, because to win the election he still needed bigger support then any of the opposition parties.

[gulbirk]

@carliarago This is comleate nonsense. He was democratically elected by the people. The fact that the other side couldnt accept that he was elected shows that they are not for democracy at all. Pinochette was a frikin dictator, he was at no point elected. I dont care if everyone didnt like him. It wouldnt be ok if a Ron Paul supporter killed Obama would it?

[gulbirk]

there is something about replacing a democratically elected president (independent on what party he is from) with a dictatorial maniac that doesnt seem to cope with the claim that we are spreading democracy.

btw, if people question the fact that right wingers in USA and also Europe supported Pinochette, just listen to what said about him. Margaret Thatcher even congratulated Pinochette from getting democracy to Chile.