biography
| name: |
Allende (Gossens), Salvador
|
pronunciation:
[ayenday]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1908–73)
|
| biography:
| Chilean statesman and president (1970–3), born in Valparaíso, C Chile. He helped found the Chilean Socialist Party, was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1937, served as minister of health for three years, and was a senator (1945–70). He sought, and failed to win, the presidency in 1952, 1958, and 1964. He was finally successful in 1970 but because he lacked a popular majority, his election had to be confirmed by Congress, in which there was strong opposition from the right. He tried to build a Socialist society within the framework of a parliamentary democracy, but met widespread opposition from business interests. He was overthrown by a military junta, led by General Augusto Pinochet, and died in the fighting. |
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