Salvador Allende

Salvador Allende
Born	Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens 26 June 1908 Santiago, Chile
Died	11 September 1973 (age 65) Santiago, Chile
Nationality	Chilean
Political orientation	Marxism Democratic socialism Anti-imperialism
Political party	Socialist

Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens (26 June 1908 – 11 September 1973) was a Chilean physician and socialist politician, who served as the 28th president of Chile from 3 November 1970 until his death on 11 September 1973. He was the first Marxist to be elected president in a liberal democracy in Latin America.

Early life

Allende became a doctor and helped found the Socialist Party of Chile in 1933.

Presidency

After his election in 1970, Allende emphasized that the right remained in control of the economy and military. He proposed a six-year plan for the nationalization of mines and factories. In December 1970, he proposed a constitutional amendment to nationalize the copper industry and offered compensation to the U.S. companies Anaconda and Kennecott, which controlled 80% of Chile's copper.

As president, Allende sought to nationalize major industries, expand education and improve the living standards of the working class. He clashed with the right-wing parties that controlled Congress and with the judiciary.^{[citation needed]}

Overthrow and death

On 11 September 1973, the military moved to oust Allende in a coup d'état supported by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). As troops surrounded La Moneda Palace, he gave his last speech vowing not to resign.^{[citation needed]}