Overview of Land and History 21to conquer. The Chilean government did not actually gain
control of this region until the mid 19th century.
Nomadic groups in the extreme south, who lived a simple
existence under harsh conditions, were also negatively
impacted by the arrival of the Europeans. While some of
these groups survive in small numbers, most have sadly
died out.
The Economy
After an unsuccessful expedition by Diego de Almagro,
Pedro de Valdivia established a settlement on the Mapocho
River on 12 February 1541, in the centre of present-day
Santiago. Within 20 years a number of other cities had
been founded and Chile had become a General Captaincy
under the Viceroyalty of Peru. However, due to the lack of
valuable minerals such as silver and gold, and the country’s
remoteness, Chile remained a relatively unimportant part
of Spain’s colonial empire. Because wealth could only be
earned through hard work such as farming and mining,
there was no great migration to Chile. The colony’s
population never exceeded 500,000, the majority of whom
were poor Spaniards. Chile grew into a rural economy and
the upper classes were primarily landowners. However,
due to climate and farming methods, slave labour was
practically non-existent.
Independence
During the 18th century, a new class took form. The criollos
were descendants of Spaniards born in Chile. They felt
closer to their American land than to Europe and became
the main force behind the movement that would give Chile
its independence.
The struggle for autonomy began with the appointment
of a Junta de Gobierno (Governing Council) on 18 September
- (Chileans celebrate this day as their National Day.)
Napoleon’s army had invaded Spain in 1808, deposed the
king and placed Napoleon’s brother on the throne. In Chile,
as in other colonies, the governor called an open town
meeting to elect a Junta de Gobierno that would govern