On August 13 the Chilean Trade Union Confederation (CUT) called a one-day general strike. This was the first general strike since the fall of the Pinochet dictatorship. It marks the beginning of a new epoch and has to be seen within the context of the general situation in the whole of the South American sub-continent.

The arrest of former Chilean dictator Pinochet in London has generated a lot interest about Chile. We take advantadge of this opportunity to publish a document written in 1979 by Alan Woods analysing the history of Chilean labour movement and specially the period of the socialist coalition government of Allende. Who was behind Pinochet's coup? What interests was he defending? What were the policies of the Allende government and why despite all warnings was unable to prevent the coup?
Also in Spanish: Lecciones de Chile

Written by Alan Woods in September 1971, two years before Pinochet's military coup. Warned against the threat of a military coup if the Popular Unity government failed to mobilise the masses and carry out a genuine socialist programme.