Chile History: Difference between revisions

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===History===

The arid Atacama Desert in northern Chile contains great mineral wealth, principally copper. The relatively small central area dominates in terms of population and agricultural resources, and is the cultural and political center from which Chile expanded in the late 19th century when it incorporated its northern and southern regions. Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands, and features a string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands.

Spain conquered and colonized the region in the mid-16th century, replacing Inca rule in the north and centre, but failing to conquer the independent Mapuche who inhabited what is now south-central Chile. After declaring its independence from Spain in 1818, Chile emerged in the 1830s as a relatively stable authoritarian republic. In the 19th century, Chile saw significant economic and territorial growth, ending Mapuche resistance in the 1880s and gaining its current northern territory in the War of the Pacific (1879–83) after defeating Peru and Bolivia. In the 1960s and 1970s, the country experienced severe left-right political polarization and turmoil.

The modern sovereign state of Chile is among South America's most economically and socially stable and prosperous nations, with a high-income economy and high living standards. It leads Latin American nations in rankings of human development, competitiveness, income per capita, globalization, state of peace, economic freedom, and low perception of corruption. It also ranks high regionally in sustainability of the state, and democratic development. Currently it also has the lowest homicide rate in South America.

1540 -  Pedro de Valdivia led a group of men into Chile. He founded Santiago in 1541<br>

1561–1810 Chile was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru<br>

1593 - The first Jesuits arrived in Chile. They were an important element in Chilean education and culture until they were expelled from Chile in 1767<br>

1810–1814 - 1817–1818 Chile obtained independence from Spain<br>

1823–1839 The Federation of Central America was formed, headquartered in Guatemala. Each of the new republics left the federation by 1839<br>

1870–1920 Millions of immigrants from Europe and Asia settled in Latin America, including Chile, and influenced local culture and ethnic composition<br>

1879–1883 Chile waged the War of the Pacific against Bolivia and Peru. Chile gained the mineral-rich Atacama Desert region and occupied Lima for a few years. Bolivia lost access to the Pacific Ocean<br>

1883 - The Mapuche Indians were subdued<br>

1925 - A new constitution reestablished presidential rule, separation of church and state, and embodied social justice codes<br>

The FamilySearch Library has some published histories for Chile. You can find histories in the FamilySearch Catalog under one of the following:  

*Encina, Francisco Antonio. ''Historia de Chile (History of Chile.)'' Santiago, Chile: Editorial Nacimiento, 1955. (FS Library book 983 H2em v.1–20.)

*Encina, Francisco Antonio. ''Resumen de la "Historia de Chile" (Summary of the "History of Chile").'' Santiago, Chile: Empresa Editora Zig-Zag, 1968–1970. (FS Library book 983 H2en v.1–4.)

*Elliot, G. F. Scott. ''Chile: Its History and Development, Natural Features, Products, Commerce and Present Conditions.'' London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1907. (FS Library book 983 H2e.)

*Herring, Hubert. ''A History of Latin America from the Beginning to the Present''. 2 ed. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962. (FS Library book 980 H2h.)

*James, Herman Geriach. The Republics of Latin America. Rev. ed. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1923. (FS Library book 980 H2j.)

The FamilySearch Library does not have many local histories for Chile. Local histories are often available at major public and university libraries and archives.  

[[Chile, Cemetery Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]  

[[es:Historia de Chile]]

[[Category:Chile]] [[Category:Histories]]