Editing Politics of Chile (section)

===Parliamentary Republic===

When the era of the parliamentary republic began in 1891, the struggle between liberals (pipiolos) and conservatives (pelucones) had already evolved due to the emergence of a multi-party system. In the 1880s, the Liberals split into two factions: the moderates, who did not want to impose secularism too quickly and were willing to compromise with the Conservatives, and the radical Liberals, who joined the [[Radical Party of Chile|Radical Party]] founded in 1863 or the new Democratic Party with more progressive, if not socialist, ideas.

European and particularly British companies having appropriated a large part of the country's economy ([[Niter|saltpeter]], bank, railroad, trade), President [[José Balmaceda]] (1886–1891), leader of [[Centre-left politics|moderate liberals]], decided to react by directing his policy in two directions: the nationalization of saltpeter mines and the intervention of the State in economic matters. Already facing the conservative aristocracy, he alienated the bankers. He was dismissed by a vote of [[National Congress of Chile|Parliament]] and pressure from part of the army. He committed [[suicide]] by firearm at the end of the civil war that his supporters lost.