Chile’s 19th century elite’s projects

Abstract

This article discusses projects with which the elite ruled Chile in the 19th
century. According to the author, there was an original project led by those who ruled the country after the Independence; it was based on order, power centralization, and Chilean people’s own ideas on self-improvement irrespective of any other South American project and materially supported by Chilean raw materials exports. This Project was questioned by a more liberal generation rising in the 1840s and taking over power in the 1860s. Being admirers of positivism, youngsters looked at Europe as a model to be followed. As their ultimate goal, they associated progress with France, England, and in some cases, the U.S.A. They wanted to follow these countries’ footsteps regardless of Chile’s national characteristics. With little social sensitivity and unable to meet the demands of subaltern groups, this project led the country to the crisis at the turn of the century.