Not only had the spirit of the strife between Unitaries and Federalists been communicated to Chile from the neighboring republic to the eastward, but two other parties or factions, divided on still different lines, had arisen.

These were the Conservative and the Liberal, or Bigwigs (pelucones) and Greenhorns (pipiolos), as the adherents of the one derisively dubbed the partisans of the other.
Although in the ups and downs of the struggle two constitutions were adopted, neither sufficed to quiet the agitation.

Not until 1830, when the Liberals sustained an utter defeat on the field of battle, did the country enter upon a period of quiet progress along conservative lines.
From that time onward it presented a surprising contrast to its fellow republics, which were beset with afflictions.
Far to the northward, the Empire of Mexico set up by Iturbide in 1822 was doomed to a speedy fall.

"Emperor by divine providence," that ambitious adventurer inscribed on his coins, but his countrymen knew that the bayonets of his soldiers were the actual mainstay of his pretentious title.

Neither his earlier career nor the size of his following was sufficiently impressive to assure him popular support if the military prop gave way.