History of Chile within the Spanish Empire of the Captaincy General of Chile. The struggle for independence was a war within the upper class, although the majority of troops on both sides consisted of conscripted mestizos and Native Americans. The beginning of the Independence movement is traditionally dated as September 18, 1810 when a national junta was established to govern Chile in the name of the deposed king Ferdinand VII. Depending on what terms one uses to define the end, the movement extended until 1821 (when the Spanish were expelled from mainland Chile) or 1826 (when the last Spanish troops surrendered and Chiloé
President of the Senate of Chile President of the Senate of Chile The President of the Senate of Chile is the highest authority of the Senate of Chile. The position comes after the Ministers of State in the line of succession of the President of Chile in the case of temporary incapacitation or vacancy (Constitution, Art. 29). The President of the Senate receives no special treatment in the sessions of Senate. However, in the official communications the President holds the title of "Excelencia" ("Excellency"). He or she is elected, from the body of current Senators, by the members of the Senate, and forms the "Mesa de