The Chile Coup: One Collection, Multiple Approaches

Historical Background

In 1970 the Marxist democrat Salvador Allende was elected by popular vote. As head of the Unidad Popular (a coalition of communists and socialists) Allende faced opposition from the majority of Congress as well as hostility from the United States. His implementation of a radical programme of nationalisation and agrarian reform was frustrated, while inflation, flight of capital and a balance of payments deficit contributed to an economic crisis in 1973. In September 1973, the commander-in-chief of the army, Augusto Pinochet, led a military coup that cost Allende his life and replaced his government with a military junta that remained in power until 1990.

One Collection

In September 1973 the global news agency United Press International Television News (UPITN) produced 38 stories which charted the coup in Chile and international reaction to it.

This collection provides a unique record of what was regarded as newsworthy, what was worth filming as opposed to being broadcast, as this seminal event in Chile’s history unfolded.

Multiple Approaches

This growing case study aims to show how a single collection of related footage can be researched, viewed and presented in different ways leading the researcher to experience a changing form of engagement with increasingly familiar content.

Browse all stories related to the Chile Coup