Companion for Your Spanish Course: History of Chile Part 2 of 4
When you attend Spanish school in Santiago, you will see a modern country full of conveniences and a great deal of technology. However, of course, this was not always the case. Chile has an extensive history full of tumultuous changes. One interesting period to examine before you arrive to study Spanish in Chile is the Spanish conquest and colonization. This period took place over almost 300 years, as it began in about 1540 and lasted until 1810.
Diego de Almagro is considered to be the person who discovered Chile. Almagro was the partner of Francisco Pizarro, who was permitted by the queen to conquer Argentina. Diego de Almagro quickly saw that the region was poor and there was no gold or silver. Therefore, he left the region and returned to Peru. However, Almagro's dismissal of Chile turned into a gain for Pedro de Valdivia who was the captain of the army at the time. Pizarro granted Valdivia permission to invade the south. In 1541, with only a few hundred men, he founded Santiago and became governor of the Captaincy General of Chile.
Pedro de Valdivia realized that although the region didn't have gold, it was rich agriculturally. Chile was by far not richest country on the continent under the Spanish crown. In fact, it was considered the poorest. However, its significant economic growth began in the 1700s.
The Chilean War of Independence is an important milestone in the country's history. Of course, there was a larger Spanish American independence movement going on at the time. Some inhabitants in Chile were independentists and others were called royalists. A civil war between these two groups finally resulted. The pro-independence people wanted to have independence from Spain that was political as well as economic.
In 1810, a national junta was finally established. The goal of this junta was to govern Chile. In 1821, the Spanish were forced to leave Chile. The first new government that was set up in the region was the Patria Vieja or old republic. An aristocrat named Jose Miguel Carrera led this government.
The Spanish tried to regain rule of the region shortly thereafter. The Reconquista or Reconquest period was when Spanish loyalists punished people who were considered to be rebels. At this point, the elite in Chile more and more convinced that independence was necessary. Manuel Rodriguez became famous as he led a guerilla movement against the Spaniards. Rodriguez is today considered to be one of the people who founded independent Chile.
1818 is considered to be a significant year, as Chile formally won its independence. Jose de San Martin defeated a large group of Spanish solders at the Battle of Maipu. His army then went north to work on liberating Peru. In February 1818, there was a formal declaration of independence that was issued by Chile. Spain finally recognized the region as independent in 1840 and the countries agreed on a diplomatic relationship.
It is easy to study Spanish in Chile and not fully appreciate the complex history of the country. However, if you take some time to learn about the period that lasted from 1540-1810, it will give you a better understanding of the Chile's struggles to gain the independence that the country enjoys today. After all, that freedom enables students the ability to attend Spanish school in Santiago.
About the Author
Through Ecela one can study Spanish in Chile at its language centers in cosmopolitan Santiago and in coastal Valparaiso. In addition to the chance to attend a Spanish school in Santiago you will also learn about Chile's history and culture. More information => http://www.ecela.com
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