Chileans overthrow dictator Carlos Ibañez del Campo, 1931

In February 1931, in the face of an economic crisis, the Chilean Congress granted President Carlos Ibáñez Del Campo authority to enact any necessary measures to keep Chile from further depression.  As the value of exports dropped and unemployment rose, Ibáñez increased taxes, stopped public works projects, and cut governmental wages.  He also announced that he would maintain order with military force if necessary.

These actions failed to curb the economic problems in Chile and opposition to Ibáñez’s dictatorial rule grew.  Government officials and citizens alike were calling for a return to civil government.  In mid-July 1931 Ibáñez appointed a cabinet aimed at fixing the economic problems in Chile and initiating a return to civilian rule.  Ibáñez, however, did not cooperate with the decisions of this cabinet and after four days the cabinet resigned.  The following cabinet resigned after only two days.

On July 21 university students and the organization Unión Civilista, led by professionals and members of the Radical Party, met separately in Santiago.  Both groups began planning demonstrations and strikes against Ibáñez.  Their main goal was for the resignation of Ibáñez and the reinstatement of civilian government.  Citizens began demonstrations that day.

On July 22, the leaders of Unión Civilista called for a general strike of both laborers and professionals.  Students took over university buildings and hung banners with the word “Libertad” from the windows.  Many armed students fired from the buildings at police in the street until they ran out of ammunition.

The next day, in response to the killing of a young doctor by the police, the physicians in Santiago began a strike, pledging solidarity with other strikers and the students.  This action shut down hospitals.  Only emergency medical services remained available.

On July 24 one policeman and three demonstrators were killed in clashes between demonstrators and police forces.  Lawyers joined the ranks of strikers, followed the next day by teachers, engineers, and merchants.  Bank owners called to their employees to strike and to do so nonviolently, sending out a pamphlet that read: “Without arms, with ideals alone we will overthrow murderers and thieves… grasp the arm of passive resistance.” Several municipal government officials also resigned in protest of Ibáñez. By July 25, the strikers had shut down the city of Santiago.  Several groups of laborers such as bakers and slaughterhouse workers also announced they would begin strikes two days later.

After learning that he had lost the support of much of his army, Ibáñez finally resigned on July 26 stating that he had no options but “to defend myself with fire and blood” and he did not want to continue holding his power by means of violence.

The struggle against Ibáñez can be split into two parts: the riots and violence by demonstrators, which Ibáñez was able to repress with his police force, and the strikes, which forced the closure of Chile’s capital city and halted the continued operation of the ruling body. The strikers had successfully forced Ibáñez’s resignation and catalyzed the reinstatement of civilian government when elections were held in December.