The Chilean Civil War of 1891 was an armed conflict between forces supporting Congress and forces supporting the sitting President, José Manuel Balmaceda. This conflict ended with the defeat of presidential forces and the President committing suicide as a consequence. 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... War is a state of widespread conflict between states, organisations, or relatively large groups of people, which is characterised by the use of lethal violence between combatants or upon civilians. ... A congress is a gathering of people, especially a gathering for a political purpose. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, universities, and countries. ... José Manuel Balmaceda José Manuel Balmaceda Fernández (July 19, 1840 - September 18, 1891) was a Chilean political figure. ... Suicide (from Latin sui caedere, to kill oneself) is the act of willfully ending ones own life; it is sometimes a noun for one who has committed or attempted the act. ...

This defeat of the presidential forces opened a so-called "pseudo-parliamentary" period in Chile's history, which lasted from 1891 to 1925. As opposed to a "true parliamentary" system, the executive was subject to the legislative but checks and balances of executive over legislative were weakened. The position of President remained the head of state but its powers and control of the government were reduced.. 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ...