Chile finally returned to democracy in 1990.
Further Explanation-
Chile was one of the states in South America to have a relatively stable democratic government before it was taken over by the authoritarian ruler General Augusto Pinochet, who ruled the country for a period of 16 years. The authoritarian government did not share cordial diplomatic relations with the United States government, and there was a constant mistrust between them. The gradual transition of the Chilean political structure from authoritative to democratic government gradually paved the way for mutual diplomatic co-operation with her neighbours, especially with the USA. This would open up Chilean economy to foreign investment, resulting in significant economic growth.
The period of democratic transition in Chile occurred sometime between 1988 and 1989, during which the authoritarian rule of Pinochet was rejected by the Chileans and their desire to adhere to the democratic traditions was expressed by the Chilean public and the politicians. General Pinochet assumed power in 1973 and ruled until 1988, and the sixteen years of his rule were marked by repression of political opponents, and mostly they were tortured, killed or deported. The military-backed Pinochet regime was facing nonviolent opposition from leaders of other political parties, who had united for a common cause, in restoring democracy to the country. The business community and the trade unions also protested against the Pinochet rule, who now decided to open the President and Congressional elections. A plebiscite was held in 1988, where the opposition tried to convince the Chilean public to aid in the smooth transition to power by rejecting Pinochet’s rule, resulting in the opposition getting a clear majority to form a democratic government and the overthrow of Pinochet’s rule. Christian Democrat PatricioAylwin assumed the office of President, after being elected in December 1989.
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Answer Details
Grade- High School
Chapter- History of South America.
Subject- History.
Keywords-
Authoritarian, democratic government, Pinochet regime, civilian institutions, trade unions, President and Congressional elections, plebiscite.
The correct answer to this open question is "1988."
The year in which Chile become a democracy again was 1988.
On October 5, 1988, a plebiscite organized in Chile clearly showed that Chilean people rejected the idea of Augusto Pinochet stayed in power after so many years of dictatorship and atrocities. Pinochet became the Dictator of Chile after the overthrown of President Salvador Allende in 1973.