This study investigates the constitutional legitimacy of the Chilean presidency under Salvador Allende from November 1970 to September 1973. The analysis focuses on the significant factors that influenced decisions, policies, and programs which contributed to the September 11, 1973 coup. The research indicates that Allende, pushed by the Left extremists of his own party, and his own desire to establish a socialist dictatorship, lost control of the coalition he represented and subsequently the support of the entire government and society. Violations to the constitution led to a fatal loss of the moral authority to serve as Chile's president. Challenged by Congress over numerous illegal acts his regime had committed, Allende refused to change his methods and continued to tolerate abuse of the constitution. His weak leadership led to violations of the constitution that the Congress and the military did not tolerate. The country's economic peril took away the time needed for Allende to take the country where it did not want to go in the first place. With Chile on the verge of civil war, the military intervened established a military government.

ADA 256883 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)