President Salvador Allende was the first Marxist to be elected as the President of Chile through a democratic election. He took office in 1970 and aimed to implement socialist reforms, including nationalizing key industries and redistributing land to benefit the poor. His government faced significant opposition from various sectors, including the United States. Allende's presidency was marked by economic challenges and political unrest. In 1973, his government was overthrown in a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet. Allende died during the coup, and his death marked the beginning of a long period of dictatorship in Chile.