Issue and Opponent: Due to the economic crisis, President Carlos Ibanez Del Campo had total authority to combat the economic depression. He increased taxes, decreased government wages, and halted projects. The combination of unemployment and loss of money through exporting led to an increase in poverty among Chileans. To enforce order, the president proclaimed the use of the military. The turmoil caused by these actions did not solve the economic problems of the country and led to a call for the return of a civil government. The opponent was President Ibanez and the government of Chile.
Dilemma Action: In response to the economic crisis brought on by President Ibanez, students, and radical party members met in Santiago to plan a strike. The strikers demanded the resignation of the president and the re-establishment of a civilian government. Demonstrations started on the 21st of July, followed by a general strike on the 22nd. There was violence from both sides of the demonstrations, with some students firing on police. Due to the death of a doctor during the strikes, physicians in the city of Santiago went on strike, shutting down all hospitals except emergency services. On the 24th, lawyers joined the strike, then teachers, engineers, and salespeople. Large banks instructed their employees to participate in non-violent strikes. On the 25th, Santiago was shut down by strikers. Bakers and butchers followed in joining the strike. The lose-lose of this action was that the police would respond violently to a strike or do nothing and allow people to continue the stoppages and go against the government.
Outcomes: The outcome of this action was the resignation of President Ibanez in 1931. He claimed that he did not want to defend his power with violent methods anymore. This action was part of a campaign to create a civil government in Chile.