cy was to secure above all a strong
administration; power was concentrated in the hands of a small circle;
public liberties were restricted and all opposition crushed by force.
Inaugurated under General Prieto's administration (1831-1841) by his
able minister Diego Portales, this policy was continued by his
successors General Manuel Bulnes (1841-1851) and Manuel Montt
(1851-1861), each of whom like Prieto was elected to a double term of
office. In spite of the discontent of the Liberals, the Conservative
ascendancy secured a long period of firm stable government, which was
essential to put an end to the confusion in public life and to give time
for the people to awake to a fuller realization of the duties and
responsibilities of national independence. The internal peace of the
country was only disturbed three times, by Liberal risings in 1835, in
1851 and in 1859, all of which were crushed, but not without severe
fighting. In 1836 Chile also became involved in a war with a
confederation of Peru and Bolivia, which ended in the victory of Chile
and the dissolution of the confederation.

While refusing to allow the people any share in, or control over, the
government, the Conservative leaders devoted themselves to improving the
condition of the people and of the country, and under their firm rule
Chile advanced rapidly in prosperity. The government established a
department for education, a training college for teachers, and numerous
schools and libraries; literary magazines were started and a school of
art and an academy of music founded. By the consolidation of the foreign
debt, by the regular payment of interest, by the establishment of
several banks, and by the negotiation of commercial treaties, the
financial position of the country was improved. Internal development was
promoted by the working of the silver mines of Copiapo and the coal
mines of Lota, by the building of railways and erection of telegraphs,
and by the colonization of the rich Valdivia province with German
settlers.

The Straits of Magellan were occupied; under an American engineer,
William Wheelwright, a line of steamers was started on the coast, and,
by a wise measure allowing merchandise to be landed free of duty for
re-exportation, Valparaiso became a busy port and trading centre; while
the demand for food-stuffs in California and Australia, following upon
the rush for gold, gave a strong impetus to agriculture. A code of law
was drawn up and prom