CHAPTER XV

CHILE’S UNIQUE POLITICAL HISTORY

National Life a Growth--Anarchy after Independence--Presidents Prieto, Bulnes, Montt, Perez--Constitution of 1833--Liberal Modifications--The Governing Groups--Civil War under President Balmaceda--His Tragic End--Triumph of his Policies--Political System of To-day--Government by the One Hundred Families--Relative Power of the Executive and the Congress--Election Methods Illustrated--Ecclesiastical Tendencies--Proposed Parliamentary Reforms--Ministerial Crises--Party Control 232