The United States had a significant influence on Chilean policies during Gabriel González Videla's administration (1946-1952), primarily through economic and political means. This period was marked by the early stages of the Cold War, which shaped U.S. foreign policy and its interactions with Latin American countries, including Chile.

1. Economic Influence: The U.S. exerted economic influence through aid and investments. Chile was a recipient of U.S. financial assistance, which was crucial for its post-war economic recovery and development. The U.S. also had substantial investments in Chilean industries, particularly in copper, which was a major export for Chile. This economic dependency gave the U.S. leverage in influencing Chilean policies.

2. Political Influence: Politically, the U.S. was concerned about the spread of communism in Latin America. This concern was heightened by the presence of the Communist Party in Chile, which initially supported González Videla. However, under U.S. pressure and in alignment with the Truman Doctrine aimed at containing communism, González Videla enacted the Law for the Permanent Defense of Democracy in 1948, also known as the "Ley Maldita" (Accursed Law), which outlawed the Communist Party and led to the persecution of its members.

3. Military Collaboration: The U.S. also engaged with Chile through military cooperation, providing training and equipment as part of its broader strategy to ensure regional stability and counteract communist influence.

Overall, the U.S. influence on Chile during González Videla's presidency was a combination of economic dependency, political pressure to align with anti-communist policies, and military cooperation, all of which were driven by the broader context of Cold War geopolitics.