Government Junta of Chile (1891)

after the defeat of President Balmaceda.

Creation

A conflict had been simmering for a long time between the National Congress and the President over the extent of the constitutional powers of each. In January of 1891, the conflict led to the Chilean Civil War, that broke out between the presidential and the congressional forces. President José Manuel Balmaceda was supported by the regular army and a small part of the navy. Most of the navy, under the command of captain Jorge Montt, supported Congress. Captain Montt, who also led the congressional forces together with General Emil Korner, captured the northern provinces and organized a parallel government in the city of Iquique. Once there they proceeded to raise and organize an army, which eventually they transported south to fight against the presidential forces.

Members

History

, and thence carried to Iquique, where they were safely disembarked early in July 1891. A force of 10,000 men was now raised by the junta, and preparations were rapidly pushed forward for a move to the south with the object of attacking Valparaiso and Santiago, because in a few months the arrival of the new ships from Europe would reopen the struggle for command of the sea so the Congressional party could no longer aim at a methodical conquest of successive provinces, but was compelled to attempt to crush the dictator at a blow.

After his forces were overcome, Balmaceda fled to the Argentinian embassy where he stayed for one month, then committed suicide rather than surrender to the new government. The Government Junta took control from General Manuel Baquedano, who had succeeded President Balmaceda in order to avoid the continuance of hostilities, and ruled until new elections were held, that elected Captain Montt as new President.

Additional information

ee also

*History of Chile
*List of Government Juntas of Chile
*List of Heads of State