José Manuel Balmaceda

José Manuel Balmaceda was president of Chile from 1886 to 1891 and a central figure in the constitutional crisis that ended in the Chilean Civil War. His government promoted public works, education and a stronger executive role financed by nitrate revenues, but conflict with Congress over ministerial authority and the budget escalated into armed rebellion.

Balmaceda promoted public works, education and stronger state direction of nitrate revenues. Conflict with Congress over ministerial responsibility, spending and executive authority became constitutional deadlock. After congressional forces won the 1891 civil war, Balmaceda took refuge in the Argentine legation and died by suicide. My Name Is Emilia del Valle sends Emilia to Chile as a reporter during the civil war caused by Balmaceda’s confrontation with Congress. The president’s crisis provides the political framework for her investigation of family origins and national identity.

In Isabel Allende’s My Name Is Emilia del Valle, The novel links Gilded Age California to the fall of President José Manuel Balmaceda through a story of authorship, identity and political violence.