Carlos Ibáñez del Campo

Carlos Ibáñez del Campo (1877-1960) was a Chilean general and twice president of the republic. A self-styled populist leader, he attempted to secure for the middle and lower classes a greater voice in the nation's economic and political life.

Carlos Ibáñez was born in Linares on Nov. 3, 1877. Entering the military school in Santiago, he graduated and received his commission. In 1903 he was appointed military adviser to the army of El Salvador, and after his return to Chile he held the directorship of the cavalry school and police academy. He rose to political prominence as a result of the military coup in September 1924 and was one of the leaders of the second coup of January 1925, which restored Arturo Alessandri, the legal president, to power. Ibáñez was rewarded by being named minister of war. He emerged as a spokesman for reformist-minded and politically ambitious officers and steadily increased his influence in the government.

Popular Dictatorship

Alessandri resigned after a clash with Ibáñez in October 1925, and the new president, Emiliano Figueroa Larrain, was forced to keep him in the Cabinet. Figueroa, a weak leader, was eventually eased out in April 1927, and Ibáñez was now the most powerful leader of the nation. Elections were called, and he was almost unanimously elected president. Ibáñez governed dictatorially, exiling his opponents and restricting citizens' rights. His dictatorship was popular, however, as Chile was enjoying prosperity, foreign loans were available, and the government instituted public works projects to keep employment at a high level.

Ibáñez's popularity declined when the effects of the world depression were felt in Chile, and in July 1931, after popular demonstrations broke out, he was forced to flee. His subsequent career centered on rehabilitating his image and attempting to regain power. He ran for the presidency in 1938 as the standard-bearer of the Nazis and in 1942 as the candidate of the conservatives and liberals. In 1949 he was elected to the Senate.

An "Aging Lion"

In 1952 Ibáñez organized his party, the Agrarian-Labor, and appealed to the electorate as an independent, not tied to the vested interests, one who could resolve the social and economic problems of the country. The traditional parties, split and discredited, accused Ibáñez of wishing to install a peronista -style dictatorship in Chile. But the voters expressed their desire for strong government and gave a plurality of votes to Ibáñez. Once in office, he found it difficult to govern. Congress was in the hands of his enemies, and he was old and unable to offer effective leadership. He served out his term increasingly powerless and in 1958 turned over the presidency to Jorge Allessandri, his elected successor. Ibáñez died on April 28, 1960.

Further Reading

There is no detailed study of Ibáñez's career in English. Federico G. Gil deals with Chile during the Ibáñez era in The Political System of Chile (1966). John Reese Stevenson covers the Ibáñez dictatorship in The Chilean Popular Front (1942), and Fredrick B. Pike ably discusses both administrations in Chile and the United States, 1880-1962 (1963). □

Ibáñez (del Campo), Carlos (b. 3 Nov. 1877, d. 28 Apr. 1960). Chilean President 1927–31, 1952–8 Of wealthy parents, he had a successful career in the army and in 1924 took part in a military coup against President Arturo Alessandri. When the latter was restored, he briefly became his Minister of War before seizing power himself in 1925. Elected President in 1927, he at once imprisoned or exiled his political opponents. He introduced a series of reforms, notably of the police, and introduced public works. However, Chile's economy collapsed during the Great Depression, forcing his resignation. In 1937, he briefly returned from exile to lead a series of abortive Fascist uprisings. Against the background of widespread disillusionment with party politics, he was elected as the ‘general of hope’ in 1952. To everyone's surprise his regime was conciliatory, encouraging economic growth and seeking to end corruption. It won the support of the more progressive middle class and of the trade unions, promulgating a Labour Code. He was succeeded by Alessandri's son, José.

Carlos Ibáñez del Campo , 1877–1960, president of Chile (1927–31, 1952–58). An army general who served as minister of war (1925–27) and vice president (1927), he became president upon the forced resignation of President Emiliano Figueroa. He ruled dictatorially, suppressing all opposition. He launched many public works projects and instituted educational and labor reform, remaining popular until the worldwide depression hit Chile. Widespread demonstrations in 1931 forced him into exile in Argentina. After several attempts to regain power, he was elected (1949) to the senate. He won the presidency (1952) by a plurality after promising to curb inflation and to reform the bureaucracy. His administration was hampered, however, by opposition in congress and by his own old age.