U.S. Policy Toward Chile, 1970—1973

At the beginning of 1970s, the baseline of U.S. Latin America policy was there cannot exist the second Cuba, but Allende became the president of Chile was put forward a challenge. From 1970 to 1973, U.S. brought into effect a series of policy, include covert action, to dealing with Chile, expect to prevent inauguration of Allende, against his reform and overthrow him. Finally, U.S. fulfilled the purpose. Based on documents new decoded and other research achievements, this essay tries to analysis U. S. policy toward Allende's Chile.There are five parts in my essay. The first part introduces the relations of U.S. and Chile before 1970. In 19 century, the strength of both countries increased rapidly, they all want to pursue foreign policy independently, tensions and discrepancies have prevailed over agreement and cooperation. From the beginning of 20 century, U.S. investments and trade gradually dominated the economy of Chile, even domestic politics and foreign policy. At the beginning of the Cold War years, the government of Chile was following the grand strategy of U.S. government. Kennedy government seen Chile as the democracy showcase of Latin America, for this purpose, CIA executed extensive covert action to influence domestic political process of Chile.The second part of my essay analysis U.S. policy in the 1970 Chilean presidential election. The election competition was an even match. Allende on behalf of UP, was fourth time to competing for president, and declared to gain progress through the Chilean Road. The spoiling actions of CIA did have some effect, but failed to prevent Allende gain majority ballots. U.S. authority was fury about that, while the NSC was discussing countermeasures, Nixon demanded CIA directly to stir up a coup in Chilean military. After then, U.S. policy was undertaking on two tracks. When the Frei re-election gambit was failed, military coup prompted by CIA was beginning, General Rene Schneider, Commander Chief of Chilean army was murdered, and Allende was affirmed by Congress nevertheless.The third part of my essay analysis U.S. policy toward the Allende government. As soon as taking power, Allende began to push forward the reform he has promised, expected to gain majority support through a successful economy, and it performed well in the first year. But he can't resolve the deep-based problem of Chilean economy, and reform faced great difficulty, the limited assistance from friendly countries was not enough. Meanwhile, U.S. government approved NSDM93 paper to executed a cool but correct policy toward Chile. U.S. government cut off the channels through which Chile can attain credit. In Chile, U.S used covert action to provide financial support to oppositional political party, media and private sector organizations. U.S. covert support was strengthening the oppositional camp and united them, created the climate for a military coup.The fourth part explains the military coup which overthrown Allende and the U.S. policy related to it. In order to put down the crisis face by government, Allende was forced to invited military officers into his cabinet. The effort changed the apolitical tradition of military factually, and finally military coup overthrown Allende government, Allende was sacrificed in the presidential palace, La Moneda. During the Allende Government was in power, U.S. assisted Chilean military extensively, and strengthened influence on it. The day coup was break out, four U.S. naval warships was out of Chilean seacoast, and keep an eye on it. After the coup, U.S. gave the Junta government support immediately, helped them to consolidate power.The last part of my essay analysis the character of U.S. policy toward Chile. The strong ideological character of U.S. policy let America Policy makers assess the menace of Allende' Chile far and away from the fact, and take the tough methods to respond. The goal of U.S. was changed three times, except for the aim to prevent Allende assume power, other goals were all achieved. Covert action acted an important role in the whole policy, it assured U.S. to maintain a correct surface while extensively interfere domestic politics of Chile. The exposure of the U.S. role damaged the imaging of government seriously, and brings about decadence of covert action. U.S. policy helped to break down the fragile political ecology and the normal evolve process of Chile. U.S. policy toward Allende's Chile have no fatefully effected the Cold War structure, but U.S. gained confidence and methods from it, and gave a stroke to someone who want to achieve independent progress through the same road.