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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The military history of Chile spans several centuries beginning in the 16th century with the Araucanian Wars involving many battles between the Spanish conquistadors and the Araucanian Indians of Chile. The first of these battles involved Pedro de Valdivia, a Spanish conquistador stumbling on to the Araucanians and being met with strong resistance. Sometime after these first engagements Chile fought to gain political and economic independence from the Spanish. Post Chilean independence, Chile was involved in many battles between neighbouring countries such as Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Chile has also been involved in multiple civil wars since its independence. Chile’s more modern military history involves military coups and dictatorships.