José Manuel Balmaceda

President of Chile who took his own life after defeat in a civil war.

Life

Liberals

Balmaceda came from a wealthy family and was a Liberal politician, elected President in 1886. After the Pacific War Chile gained large nitrate revenues, which he used to build railways, schools, ports and public works.

Nitrate wealth

He argued that the state should control the nitrate wealth, bringing him into conflict with foreign capital and the congressional majority. In 1891 the congressional faction rose in revolt with the backing of the navy, and his forces were defeated in the civil war.

Civil war

He took refuge in the Argentine legation and shot himself the day after his term of office expired.

Legacy

Balmaceda later came to be seen as a defender of the nation's economic sovereignty, and Allende regarded him as his forerunner.

Did you know? His farewell letter read: "Our cause will ultimately triumph in history."

Key dates

• 1886Elected President
• 1888Launches extensive public works
• 1891Defeated in the civil war; commits suicide