Chilean Civil War of 1891

The Chilean Civil War of 1891 was an armed conflict between forces supporting Congress and forces supporting the sitting President, José Manuel Balmaceda. This conflict ended with the defeat of presidential forces and the President committing suicide as a consequence.

The parliamentary forces gained strength after that part of the navy under command of Captain Manuel Montt sailed from Valparaíso and occupied Chile's northern provinces. An army was built in the rich northen provinces where nitrate mining was flourishing. The army was disembarked in Concón.

The defeat of the presidential forces opened a so-called "pseudo-parliamentary" period in Chile's history, which lasted from 1891 to 1925. As opposed to a "true parliamentary" system, the executive was subject to the legislative but checks and balances of executive over legislative were weakened. The position of President remained the head of state but its powers and control of the government were reduced.