How Copper Sparked the Chilean Coup

Chile held the richest copper on earth, and for decades two American companies owned it. When Salvador Allende won in 1970 and nationalized the mines, Washington answered with an economic squeeze and a secret push for a coup that cost a general his life. The episode follows the road to the 1973 coup and asks how much U.S. action, versus Chile's own crisis, brought Allende down.

Who's who

Salvador Allende+1 more episodeSocialist elected president of Chile in 1970; nationalized copper
Richard Nixon+15 more episodesU.S. president who ordered the covert campaign against Allende
Henry Kissinger+1 more episodeNational Security Advisor who chaired the 40 Committee
Richard HelmsCIA director whose notes recorded 'make the economy scream'
René SchneiderChilean army commander shot in a kidnapping attempt, died October 1970
Eduardo Frei MontalvaAllende's predecessor, whose 'Chileanization' bought partial state stakes
Augusto Pinochet+1 more episodeGeneral who led the 1973 coup and later compensated the companies

Where it happens

Chuquicamata, ChileAnaconda's giant open-pit copper mine
El Teniente, ChileKennecott's giant underground copper mine
La Moneda, Santiago, ChilePresidential palace where Allende died in the coup

Timeline

September 4, 1970Allende wins a plurality of the vote
September 15, 1970Nixon orders the CIA to block Allende; two tracks begin
October 1970General Schneider shot in a botched kidnapping, dies October 25
July 11, 1971Congress unanimously approves copper nationalization
September 11, 1973Military coup; Allende dies
1974Pinochet's junta compensates Anaconda and Kennecott

Still debated

Scholars argue how decisive U.S. covert action was compared with Chile's own inflation, shortages, and polarization, and whether U.S. agencies bear direct responsibility for Schneider's death.

chile copper allende coup cia nationalization

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