“I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures…The free people of the world look to us for support in maintaining these freedoms.” President Harry S. Truman’s speech, 12 March 1947. In 1970, Salvador Allende’s government in Chile, was the first communist-socialist party anywhere, to be voted in by a democratic election. In 1973, his government was overthrown by a military coup, and taken over by Augusto Pinochet, a military dictator. There is much speculation as to the degree in which the United States was involved in the coup. This essay will attempt to examine the extent of interference by the United States in the Allende government. It will also consider America’s motives, and in doing so, will prove that; “US policy toward Chile in the 1960’s and 1970’s was more a consequence of US economic interests than an expression of the Truman Doctrine.” is a valid statement.

At the time of the cold war, the world consisted of two superior powers, America, and the USSR. Nearing the defeat of Nazi-Germany in WWII, The 1945 Yalta Conference

Throughout all this, America remained in a close relationship with the Chilean military. Financing for the military, while always being substantial, doubled in the years between 1970 and 1973. The Chilean military led a coup against Allende on 11 September 1973. Allende was said to have committed suicide, however there is reason to believe that he was assassinated. Allende’s government was overthrown over by military dictator, Augusto Pinochet. Evidence shows that while America may not have been directly involved in the coup, it did support the Chilean military in its actions, both morally and financially. It was America’s intention, through economic pressure, to build a climate in which a coup could take place.

In a memorandum written on the 9 November 1970, to the National Security Council, Henry Kissinger outlines the US policy towards Chile. It states that; “the public posture of the United States will be correct but cool, to avoid giving the Allende government a basis on which to rally domestic and international support for consolidation of the regime; but that the United States will seek to maximize pressures on the Allende government to prevent its consolidation and limit its ability to implement policies contrary to US and hemisphere interests”. The US policy towards Chile attempts to place pressure on the Allende government, covertly, so that Chileans believe that communism and the Allende government is to blame for the deterioration of their economy. It was also to deter other Latin American countries from following in their footsteps.

At a meeting with Helm’s on the 15 September 1970, President Nixon outlined his plans for Chile. Helm’s recorded the meeting. “One in 10 chance perhaps, but save Chile!…Worth spending…not concerned with risks involved…no involvement of embassy…$10 000 000 available, more if necessary…full-time job – best men we have… game plan…make the economy scream…48 hours for pla

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