v09_1991 - CHILI - RÉPUBLIQUE Prueba de 8 escudos en bronze (essai) n.d. Santiago du Chili

CHILE - REPUBLIC

(since 1818)

The war of independence began in 1810, but the disunity of the revolutionaries allowed the Spaniards to reconquer the region thanks to their victory at Rancagua (2/10/1814). The San Martin Liberation Army from Argentina brought independence to the country on February 12, 1818; the victory of Maipu on April 5, 1818 guarantees the independence of the country. O'Higgins, San Martin's collaborator, was the country's first dictator (1818-1823). A civil war broke out in 1823 and lasted until 1830, during which the conservatives prevailed over the liberals and the federalists. Portales ensured the victory of Lircay in 1830 and established a conservative regime which was to last almost thirty years. Joaquin Prieto was elected president (1831-1841).