Alessandri, Arturo

Received secondary education in provincial schools; in 1893 he graduated from the law faculty of the metropolitan university. From 1897 to 1915 he was a deputy of the National Congress , in 1915 - 1931 - a senator. He held a number of government posts: in 1908 - Minister of Industry and Public Works, in 1913 - Minister of Finance, in 1918 - Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

In 1920, Alessandry won the presidential election as a candidate from the liberal coalition, representing the interests of the middle class and workers. Under him, some democratic reforms were carried out in the country, including an 8-hour working day and compulsory social insurance; a new constitution was adopted, proclaiming fundamental democratic freedoms, the church was separated from the state.

On September 6, 1924, a military coup took place in Chile, President Alessandri was overthrown, a military junta came to power. In January 1925, another military coup led by two colonels Carlos Ibáñez and Marmaduk Grove . They reinstated the ousted Alessandry as president. Carlos Ibáñez took the post of Minister of War in the government of Alessandri. In March 1925, President Alessandry issued a decree on constitutional reforms in the country. In September 1925, the Chilean constitution was adopted, declaring general democratic rights and freedoms. The 1925 election brought success to Emiliano Figueroa Larrain, the single candidate for conservatives and liberals.

In 1927, after a military dictatorship was established in Chile , Alessandri emigrated, but returned to his homeland after the July Revolution in 1931 . In the 1931 election, he was nominated as a presidential candidate from the Liberal Party, took second place, gaining 34.7%.

President-elect Juan Esteban Montero was overthrown in June 1932 as a result of a left-wing rebellion led by Marmaduke Grove, commander of the air corps, and two civilians, Eugenio Matte and Carlos Davila. A ruling junta is created and the Socialist Republic of Chile is proclaimed. Twelve days later, Carlos Davila eliminates the junta and becomes interim president. Three months later, a new coup forces Davila to leave. Elections are held in October 1932 , and Alessandry is re-elected president with a result of 55.1%. At the end of his second presidential term in December 1937, Alessandri resigned from political activity, but again took up the post of senator in 1944 .

Alessandry died in Santiago on August 24, 1950 . His son Jorge Alessandri Rodriguez was president in 1958-1964.

• Biography