Chile’s Path to Stability: 1823-1861

Posted on Nov 8, 2024 in History

Chile’s Path to Political Stability (1823-1861)

The Cost of Independence (1823-1830)

The period between O’Higgins’ abdication (1823) and the Battle of Lircay (1830) was a turbulent era of political anarchy and national organization. Key challenges included:

  • Inexperience of the Political Class: Creole leaders lacked political experience and training.
  • Economic Difficulties: Instability plagued the economy, with mining as the only thriving sector. The loss of the Peruvian market and national debt necessitated measures like confiscating Church property and selling national army assets.
  • Military vs. Aristocracy: The military’s glorified role in independence was challenged by the aristocracy.
  • Royalist Resistance: Royalist troops remained in Chiloé until a military incursion in 1826.

Main Political Currents

Liberal Current
  • Pipiolos: Young professionals, businessmen, and intellectuals who supported provincial equality, stronger legislative powers, and reduced Church influence.
  • Federalists: Advocated for a federal state with decentralized politics and economic autonomy for provinces.
Conservative Current
  • Pelucones: Landowning aristocrats who favored a unitary state with a powerful executive and maintained Church influence.
  • Tobacconists: Retailers who supported an authoritarian government.
  • O’Higginistas: Military members seeking O’Higgins’ return.

Political Developments

Following O’Higgins’ abdication, a junta led by José Miguel Infante appointed Ramón Freire as Supreme Director. A constituent assembly led by Juan Egaña resulted in the 1823 Constitution. While Freire incorporated Chiloé, Manuel Blanco Encalada became Chile’s first president in 1826. Federal laws aimed to create a federal state with eight provinces, but Encalada resigned due to failure. In 1827, Liberal Francisco Antonio Pinto became president and enacted the liberal 1828 Constitution, sparking a civil war that culminated in the Conservative victory at the Battle of Lircay (1830).

Constitutions

  • 1823 Constitution: Unitary state, popularly elected Supreme Director with 4-year term, bicameral legislature, census-based voting, Catholicism as the official religion.
  • 1826 Federal Laws: Federal state with 8 provinces, census-based presidential election, legislative conference, governors and deputies for each province, popularly elected parish priests.
  • 1828 Liberal Constitution: Unitary state, indirectly elected president and vice-president without re-election, bicameral congress, supreme court, official Catholicism with religious tolerance.

The Conservative Republic (1831-1861)

The years 1831-1861 marked the Conservative or Authoritarian Republic. José Joaquín Prieto became president in 1831, inheriting a paralyzed economy and the need to define territorial sovereignty. Main objectives included:

  • Restoring Internal Order: Creating new institutions, subduing Liberals, and ending banditry.
  • Stabilizing the Economy: Reducing army and public administration posts, creating a tax system, and reforming customs laws. Silver and copper discoveries and increased cereal demand aided recovery.
  • Strengthening National Sovereignty: Claiming the Strait of Magellan, colonizing Llanquihue, and waging war against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation.

Diego Portales and the 1833 Constitution

Diego Portales, influential in the Interior, Foreign Affairs, War, and Navy ministries, shaped the 1833 Constitution and declared war against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. His ideology included:

  • Order: Creation of the civilian Civil Guard.
  • Authoritarianism: Executive with broad powers.
  • End of Personalism: Institutions above individuals.
  • Military Subordination: Armed forces under political control.
  • State’s Pedagogical Role: Building a patriotic civic culture.

Portales was assassinated in 1837.

1833 Constitution

  • General Provisions: Census-based and indirect voting, citizenship for men 25 and older (21 if married with assets), literacy requirement, no parliamentary incompatibility, Catholicism as the official religion.
  • Executive: 5-year term with re-election, appointed ministers and officials, convened Congress, declared states of siege, vetoed legislation, commanded armed forces.
  • Legislative: Issued decrees and regulations, questioned ministers, enacted periodic laws.

Presidencies

José Joaquín Prieto (1831-1841)
  • 1833 Constitution
  • Civil Guard
  • Suppression of banditry
  • Chañarcillo silver discovery
  • Cabotage and mineral export laws
  • Valparaíso free warehouses
  • War against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation
Manuel Bulnes (1841-1851)
  • Incorporation of Liberal representatives
  • Amnesty laws
  • Wheat settlement and sale to California and Australia
  • University of Chile
  • Normal School of Tutors
  • Copiapo-Caldera railroad
  • Strait of Magellan claim
  • Llanquihue colonization
Manuel Montt (1851-1861)
  • Suppressed revolts in Coquimbo
  • Civil Code
  • Primary education law
  • Santiago-Valparaíso railroad
  • Santiago-Talca telegraph
  • School of Arts and Crafts
  • Puerto Montt

Territorial Sovereignty

  • Magellan: Fort Bulnes (1843) and Punta Arenas (1849) founded. Selk’nam population declined due to disease and killings.
  • Llanquihue: Colonization driven by agricultural potential.

Rise of Liberalism

  • Reform Club (1849): Discussed liberalizing the political system.
  • Liberal Party (1849): First political party, aimed to reduce executive power, protect freedoms, and limit Church influence.
  • Equal Society (1850): Advocated for workers’ rights, leading to violent suppression and exile of leaders.

The Sacristan Affair (1855)

Archbishop Rafael Valentín Valdivieso’s expulsion of a sacristan led to a court case and reinstatement. Montt’s support for the court ruling created political divisions, with Conservatives defending Church independence and Monttvaristas supporting the president. A new Liberal-Conservative fusion emerged to oppose Montt’s candidate in future elections.