key term - Chile Peasant Farming

Definition

Chile Peasant Farming refers to the agricultural practices and socioeconomic conditions of rural farmers in Chile, particularly during the 20th century when land reform policies aimed to redistribute land to peasant communities. This farming system emerged in response to the inequalities of land ownership and was closely tied to the rise of leftist movements, including communism, as peasants sought greater rights and access to resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The push for land reform in Chile gained momentum during the presidency of Salvador Allende in the early 1970s, leading to significant changes in land ownership patterns.
2. Peasant farming in Chile was characterized by small-scale agriculture, with many families growing subsistence crops and participating in local markets.
3. The nationalization of key industries by Allende's government, alongside land reform, aimed to empower peasant communities but faced opposition from wealthy landowners and conservative factions.
4. After the military coup in 1973, led by General Augusto Pinochet, many land reform efforts were reversed, resulting in a return to larger estates and a decline in peasant farming practices.
5. Peasant farmers played a crucial role in shaping Chile's political landscape, as their struggles for rights and resources often fueled broader socialist and communist movements throughout the country.

Review Questions

• How did land reform policies during the presidency of Salvador Allende impact peasant farming in Chile?
  • Land reform policies under Salvador Allende sought to redistribute land from large landowners to peasant farmers, which significantly transformed agricultural practices in Chile. These reforms aimed to empower rural communities by granting them access to land and resources that had previously been concentrated among elites. The changes facilitated the rise of peasant farming as families engaged in subsistence agriculture and became more involved in local economies.
• Discuss the role of peasant farming in the broader context of Chilean social movements during the 20th century.
  • Peasant farming was central to various social movements in Chile, particularly during the 20th century as rural populations began organizing for their rights. The agrarian movement fought for land redistribution and better working conditions, often aligning with leftist ideologies like communism. This alignment resulted in significant political changes during Allende's presidency but also sparked fierce opposition from conservative factions that ultimately led to a military coup.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the military coup of 1973 on peasant farming practices and rural communities in Chile.
  • The military coup of 1973 drastically altered the landscape for peasant farming in Chile by reversing many of the land reform policies established under Allende. With the restoration of large estates, many small-scale farmers lost their land and livelihoods, leading to increased poverty and disenfranchisement in rural communities. This shift not only stifled the growth of peasant agriculture but also dismantled the political power that these communities had begun to establish, leaving lasting impacts on social equity and agricultural productivity in Chile.

Related terms

Land Reform: The redistribution of agricultural land, often from large landowners to peasant farmers, intended to address social inequalities and improve agricultural productivity.

Communism:

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society and the abolition of private property, which gained traction among Chilean peasants seeking justice and equity.

Agrarian Movement: A social and political movement focused on the rights of farmers and agricultural workers, advocating for reforms such as land redistribution and improved labor conditions.