Naval-backed victory reshapes Chile's constitution

At Placilla, congressional troops combined navy-supported logistics with better motivation and more flexible generalship against presidential commanders constrained by fear of Balmaceda's reaction. Reported losses were 940 presidential troops killed and 2,402 wounded, while congressional losses exceeded 1,800, making the decision costly rather than bloodless. The congressional army nevertheless destroyed the remaining presidential position, occupied Valparaíso, and entered Santiago without further fighting. Balmaceda died by suicide in the Argentine legation, while Jorge Montt became president. The settlement began Chile's so-called parliamentary period from 1891 to 1925, weakening executive control without creating a fully British-style parliamentary system.