The Communist Era in Chile refers to the 24-year period in which Chile was ruled by a Communist government. The Communists came to power as a result of a popular electoral revolution in 1964-65 due to widespread unemployment in the wake of the 1958 Chilean financial crisis, the 9,5 earthquake in 1960, and a drought in 1962, as well as frustrations by the lower classes over the wealth and power of a select few in the higher echelons of society.