History Daily General Pinochet’s Chilean Coup
Sep 11, 2025
On September 11, 1973, Chile witnessed a chaotic military coup that ousted President Salvador Allende. The podcast delves into General Augusto Pinochet's brutal regime, revealing the chilling tactics of secret police against dissenters. It highlights the role of U.S. support in enabling human rights abuses and the societal shifts challenging Pinochet's authority in the late 1980s. The story unfolds as public pressure mounts for change, leading to Pinochet's eventual defeat and his controversial maneuvers to protect himself from justice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Assault On La Moneda Palace
- Soldiers stormed La Moneda on September 11, 1973, after helicopters and gunfire broke the palace defenses.
- Salvador Allende chose suicide rather than surrender as rebel troops breached his offices.
Plurality Won't Guarantee Power
- Allende won a plurality in 1970 but lacked a congressional majority, forcing congressional confirmation of his presidency.
- Cold War pressures and foreign intervention amplified Chile's political instability after the election.
Assassination Of General Schneider
- General René Schneider publicly declared army neutrality and was then shot during a bungled kidnapping.
- His death heightened fears of civil war and contributed to Congress confirming Allende days later.
