From 1970 to 1973, the US government was involved in overt and covert actions against the elected government of Chile led by Marxist Salvador Allende. The initial history of this period told of a US government that abused its power and betrayed its principles. Public reaction was universally negative. This interpretation of events has affected the conduct and perception of American intelligence activities ever since.

A generation has now passed and it is time to reexamine this “accepted” version of events. Recently, the US government released thousands of declassified documents. These newly available resources allow a more candid -- and realistic -- look into the actions and thoughts of the CIA agents and officers involved in those controversial operations. This study focuses on CIA covert action during the six weeks following Allende's victory at the polls in mid-September 1970.