Disagreements inside the left-wings and conflicting reactions towards the People’s Assembly in Concepción (Chile, 1972)

Abstract

In this research we examine the political role played by the People's Assembly formed in Concepción (1972) and the opposite reactions that it caused both within the Popular Unity and from the political opposition in the same city.

The People's Assembly was founded at the initiative of a part of the Popular Unity, the Revolutionary Left Movement (RLM) and leftist bases in the city of Concepción. Its proposals aimed at carrying out the revolution from the poorest strata of society, leaving aside the prevailing institutions. This approach provoked the rejection of Allende and the Communist Party, generating a discussion in which the government imposed its vision of the revolutionary path to follow. On the other hand, there was also an expected and strong rejection of the People's Assembly from the Christian Democratic Party and the right-wing National Party.