The Rise and Fall of Salvador Allende: Understanding the Causes, Policies, and Consequences

The Rise and Fall of Salvador Allende: Understanding the Causes, Policies, and Consequences

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain the causes of Salvador Allende's election, analyze his 40 measures and nationalization policies, and evaluate the consequences of his fall.

Introduce the learning objective and explain its relevance to students' understanding of Latin American history and politics.

What do you already know about Salvador Allende?

Background

Salvador Allende was the first Marxist to be democratically elected in South America in 1970. He represented the Socialist Party and aimed to transform Chile into a socialist state.

Provide an overview of Salvador Allende's background and political philosophy. Highlight the significance of his election in Latin American history.

Causes of Allende's Election

Allende's election was a result of several factors, including rising social inequality, political corruption, and Cold War tensions. The people of Chile were looking for a change and Allende promised to address their needs.

Discuss the reasons why Allende was elected and how they reflect the political, social, and economic climate of Chile at the time.

Allende's 40 Measures

Allende's 40 measures included nationalization of key industries, land redistribution, and increased social welfare programs. He aimed to redistribute wealth and power to the working class.

Explain the significance of Allende's 40 measures and how they reflected his socialist ideology. Discuss the impact of these policies on the Chilean economy and society.

Nationalization

Allende's nationalization policies targeted foreign-owned companies, especially those in the copper industry. This move angered the United States and led to economic sanctions.

Discuss the impact of nationalization on Chile's economy and the international community's reaction to it. Explain the significance of copper in Chile's economy.

Opposition to Allende

Allende faced opposition from various groups, including the military, business elites, and conservative politicians. They accused him of being a communist and undermining democracy.

Explain the sources of opposition to Allende's government and how they tried to undermine his policies. Discuss the role of the United States in supporting opposition groups.

Crisis and Coup

Allende's government faced a severe economic crisis, with inflation and shortages of basic goods. This crisis led to protests and strikes, which were met with repression. In 1973, General Augusto Pinochet led a coup and Allende died in the presidential palace.

Describe the events leading up to the coup and how they reflect the political and social tensions in Chile. Discuss Pinochet's rule and the human rights abuses committed under his regime.

Consequences of Allende's Fall

Allende's fall had a significant impact on Chile and Latin America. Pinochet's regime established a dictatorship that lasted for 17 years and committed numerous human rights abuses. Many Chileans fled the country and Latin American countries became more cautious about socialism.

Explain the impact of Allende's fall on Chilean society and politics. Discuss the legacy of Pinochet's regime and its impact on human rights and democracy in Chile.

Discussion: Allende's Legacy

What is Allende's legacy in Chile and Latin America? How do his policies and fall impact contemporary politics in the region?

Lead a discussion about Allende's legacy and how it is remembered in Chile and Latin America. Encourage students to reflect on the relevance of his policies and fall to contemporary politics in the region.

Primary Source Analysis: Allende's Speech

Analyze Allende's speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 in which he defended Chile's policies and criticized US intervention in Latin America.

Provide students with a copy of Allende's speech and guide them through a close reading and analysis of its content and rhetorical strategies. Encourage them to connect the speech to the broader context of Cold War politics.

Video: The Battle of Chile

Watch a segment from the documentary 'The Battle of Chile' that chronicles the events leading up to Allende's fall.

Show a selected segment from the documentary and guide students through a discussion of its content and filmmaking techniques. Encourage them to analyze the documentary's perspective on Allende's government and its fall.

Debate: Allende's Policies

Debate the merits and drawbacks of Allende's 40 measures and nationalization policies. Divide the class into two groups and assign each group a perspective to defend.

Organize a structured debate and assign roles to students. Encourage them to research and prepare their arguments in advance. Provide guidelines for respectful and constructive debate.

Research Project: Latin American Socialism

Research the history and impact of socialism in Latin America. Write a short essay that analyzes the similarities and differences between Allende's policies and those of other Latin American socialist leaders.

Assign a research project that encourages students to explore the broader context of Allende's government and its fall. Provide guidelines for selecting sources and formatting the essay.

Quiz: Allende and Chilean Politics

Take a quiz to test your knowledge of Allende's policies, his fall, and Chilean politics in the 20th century.

Create a quiz that assesses students' understanding of the content covered in the lesson. Include multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Provide feedback and explanations for correct and incorrect answers.

Reflection: What Have You Learned?

Reflect on what you have learned about Salvador Allende, his policies, and his fall. What surprised you? What questions do you still have?

Lead a reflection exercise that encourages students to connect the content of the lesson to their own perspectives and experiences. Provide a space for open-ended discussion and questions.

Further Resources

Provide a list of further resources for students who want to learn more about Salvador Allende, Chilean politics, and Latin American history.

Compile a list of books, articles, videos, and websites that expand on the topics covered in the lesson. Encourage students to explore these resources on their own time.

Thank You

Thank you for learning about Salvador Allende and Chilean politics with us!

End the presentation with a positive message that acknowledges students' engagement and curiosity. Encourage them to continue exploring the topics covered in the lesson.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.