Here is a (somewhat incredibly biased) list of the best president in our timeline! What say you all?
1. Antonio de Santa Rosa (1856(61)(63)-1871) ((Dates are confused; formally head of the Republicans in 1856, launched counter coup in 1861, Imperial Remnant beaten 1863)
Pros - Under Santa Rosa, the economy boomed (and would continue until the 1920’s), the military was rebuilt, Chile expanded peacefully, the forerunner to OTLA was created, the Chilean Common Market established, Chile became a Great Power, set stage for later technological growth (arms and railways especially), created an effective national health system, and restored the Republic, founded party (Republicans) that would remain politically active in Chile for decades, created Chief of Staff position to limit presidential authority, his liberalism became the new centre of Chilean politics.
Cons - Ended presidency by joining in partisan election, leading to two separate coup attempts; not directly his fault, but set the stage for them.
2. Sergio Gogolow (1886-1891)
Pros - First elected Socialist president of Chile, ended the long line of laissez-faire presidents that began with Santa Rosa, maintained five years of peace after fifteen years of political instability, expanded the army, opposed coup at end of term.
Cons - Economy grew less under his administration, massive military build-up, unable to pass much of his agenda, seized property.
3. Eduardo Romano (1845-1856)
Pros - Masterfully defeated the Badajoz coup in 1845, long service to Chile, supported Republic, paid off war debt.
Cons - Economy stagnated, appointed Cesar Roseno to military command, set stage for Empire, served Empire (though supported Republic)
4. David Bevan (1916-1921)
Pros - Restored Republic after Fascist State, lowered unemployment, industrial boom, kept out of wars in Europe, apolitical military appointments, strong showing during the war.
Cons - Unable to stop Fascist resurgence/Communist rise, unable to stop 1st Caribbean War
5. Michael Badajoz (1836-1845)
Pros - Strong economic growth, expanded military, defeated Argentina.
Cons - Launched coup (would serve as inspiration for many other revolutionaries).
6. Pedro Rivera (1891-1896)
Pros - Decreased army size, naval expansion, continuing boom (reached apex here), defeated coups, brought Haiti back into Common Market,
Cons - Largely inactive administration (did not contribute to industrial growth, no bills proposed), perceived to be anti-liberal, unable to prevent Andonist and Germanist rising, communist purge in military, communist uprising.
7. Fernandez (1899-1905)
Pros - Modernized military, economic stability, political stability, developed tank, reached South Pole, cultural boom, expanded Chile, defeated France
Cons - Overthrew the Republic, drastically increased centralized authority, unable to resolve Chilean Free State, political repression.
8. Alejandro Farias (1931-1941)
Pros - Naval expansion, most powerful country (through navy), Minister Santa Rosa rebuild Santiago, recovered treasury
Cons - Cut military spending/ no army reduction, lost No. 1 in Military, continued depression, refused army expansion to alleviate unemployment, military coup.
9. Daniel Palomino (1926-1931)
Pros - Won one of the toughest civil wars, distinguished naval career, expanded navy, benefited from major Franco-British war
Cons - Economic collapse, mass military reduction, corrupt ministers (though Palomino and VP Santa Rosa were above such crimes)
10. Mateo Saez (1905-1911)
Pros - More expansion, Strong military
Cons - Struggled to defeat Peru, economic decline, many rebels, poorly received constitution, failed to fend of US.
11. Ernesto Fuentes (1921-1926)
Pros - First communist elected, ended Villa coup peacefully
Cons - legislative proposals provoked uprisings, Pueblos Empresas became source of great corruption under Palomino, failed initiatives, coup for Proletariat Dictatorship
12. Carlos Andonie I (1876-1886)
Pros - Economic growth, expansion
Cons - Corrupt, aggressive and repressive, highly unpopular, Machiavellian politics.
13. Cesar Roseno (1856-1861(63)) (Santa Rosa coup began 1861, Imperial Remnant defeated 1863)
Pros - Expanded Chile
Cons - Pulled back rights, Overthrew the Republic, repressive, corrupt, ineffective, left Chile weaker and poorer, hurt international relations.
Omitted (Served less than a term)
Mario Zepeda (1871-1873)
Pros - Strong economic growth, father of OTLA, expanded Common Market drastically
Cons - Supported coup
Alejandro Cortez (1873-1876)
Pros - Strong economy
Cons - Launched coup
Maximilian de Conti (1896-1899) (Held the Free State for decades, so technically the longest serving president)
Pros - Held power in Free State successfully, defeated Americans, dealt one of the hardest hands for any president, survived through it all.
Cons - Failed to fend off Fascists and Communists
Victor-Felipe de Tagle y Fuentes (1911-1913)
Pros - Beat the Americans
Cons - Unable to stand against the liberals