Now you are reading about Allende's election a second time through a new source. I know we were not finished talking about Alessandri and we did not discuss Frei, but at least now through the reading you have a sense of the tension building in Chile between right and left throughout the Cold War period.
Allende received 36% of the vote in 1970, but in the election of 1964, he had earned 39% of the vote behind Frei's 56%. Is it dangerous that even though Chile was truly not united that Allende and the Unidad Popular still pushed forward its socialist agenda? Also, what is your take on the United States' relationship with Chile throughout the Cold War? How invested was the US in Chile? Why might this have caused Nixon and Kissenger to act in the way that they did?
Yes, i do believe was was a little dangerous to go full force in an idea less than 50% of the population wanted. And although it would be nice to look at ones own country and believe that it can do what it wants with its own politics as long as the vast majority of that countries population agrees, this was not exactly the case with Chile because the US still felt as though it had a say. The US was fairly invested from the beginning. It did it's best to overthrow Allende and make sure he did not get elected. Nixon blocked loans for Allende yet increased money flow to the military which did not particularly support Allende. Nixon and Kissenger acted the way they did because of Allende's Marxist views and because it saw the USSR's own interest in Chile.
ReplyDeleteThe US was interested in Chile, but in my opinion, it was only because the USSR was interested in Chile too. Allende was receiving $400 million from the USSR, so the US had to respond as well by seeming interested in Chile too. However, the US's involvement with Chile is noted as "cold" mainly because most of their support came in the form of giving more to "destabilize" and remove Allende form power. This occurred in blocking loans and other aid in addition to funding opposition groups.
ReplyDeleteNixon was worried because another communist country in America would mean a shift in the cold war balance. He feared that it would give Cuba an ally. He also thought that it would damage us business and threaten national security. Also, when Allende nationalized coal steel and private banks, the capitalistic thinking Americans weren't so happy.
ReplyDeleteI think that Allende did risk a lot with his reforms. Not that he endangered domestic piece, the reading says that his reforms benefited most of the population – but only in the short term. It seems to me that he had all this ideals and wanted to make Chile an equitable place for everybody – but apparently he didn't really think it through.
I personally think that going head on to an idea that more than the majority of the population agrees with is incredibly dangerous. There is so much at risk, even if it was to succeed, people still wouldn't be on his side.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the United States relationship with Chile, we were fairly invested in the idea that we needed to have a good friendship with them. Their economical standpoint was superb compared to other countries in the Americas. Another reason we wanted to be so close to them is because of the fact that if we weren't, the possibility of communism taking over was substantial. As Nicki said, they recieved $400 million dollars from Russia and if that doesn't desplay interest, i don't know what does.
Yes, of course its risky, statistically speaking. However, risk-taking is sometimes a good thing, right?
ReplyDeleteI think that the US is somewhat selfish regarding Chile, and also threatened by the USSR. This is understandable, of course. Gaining allies and preventing communism are both good routes to take. Although, I guess the US was kinda "cold" towards Chile given that they basically took over to help themselves.
Nixon and Kissenger acted the way they did given all of these factors...marxism, the USSR, etc.
It was extremely dangerous that Allende and the Unidad popular still pushed forward. I don't think he thought clearly about long term effects of socialism. My take on the Us relationship with Chile is that the US did not want Chile to be under Russia's influence and potentially spread Communism. The US used this to their benefit by creating a mutual relationship with Chile that positively affected the economies of each country. Nixon did what was best for Chile by removing Allende from power because of his Marxist reforms.
ReplyDeleteThe US did not want Chile to be influenced by the Soviet Union, so they tried to keep a close eye on them. This will always cause tension because Chile did not want this attention as they were trying to develop their government.
ReplyDeleteI think that running with and ultimately pushing an idea that the minority (less than 50%) supported was not the best choice. The US however only seemed as invested in Chile as the USSR was. This caused Nixon's and Kissenger's actions because the US had to prevent a communist country from spring up on the same content as the US, or South america in this case. The geographical equivalent of North America's back yard.
ReplyDeleteUS was fairly invested in Chile according to the article, essentially it was initiated from the concern that USSR is going to win them over and then Chile would fall into communism as Cuba's alley with Fiedeal Castro against US. Which explains why Nixon and Kissinger the way they did to against Communism
ReplyDeleteI dont believe that the US was invested in Chile as much as they were invested in the defense against the power of the USSR. We wanted to make sure that Chile (who was extremely influenced) wasnt under the influence of Russia or any other huge power of the time. We pushed forward unfortunetly in hopes to keep Chile under the "great" influence of the US.
ReplyDeleteThe US interest in Chile stemmed entirely from the US's fear of the Soviet Union. This applies to a lot of foreign policy of the time, as Communism was one of the biggest things on the US's radar at the time. The US was afraid of another Cuba knocking at the South of the US, having an alliance with the USSR, and making it another potential threat.
ReplyDeletethe Power and influence that the USSR had was very intimidating for the US. we had to make sure that south america was on our side and if that meant dealing with a socialist leader then we would do that. The number one concern for the US was the containment of Communism and restricting the USSR as much as possible.
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