The Mexican Revolution: A Comprehensive Guide
Causes and Key Figures
Political Causes
- Authoritarianism
- Citizen rights violations
- Lack of political freedom
- Constitutional reform in favor of the regime
- Lack of protection for workers
- Little rural assistance
Economic Causes
- Protectionism of foreign capital
- Big landlords
- Company stores
- Uncontrolled oil exploitation concessions for foreigners
Social Causes
- Polarized stratification of social classes
- Subhuman conditions of workers
- Conflicts with indigenous people over boundaries
- Subdivision of land
Key Figures
Ricardo Flores Magón
A revolutionary activist and journalist, he was against Porfirio Díaz’s regime and wrote the newspaper Regeneración with his brother Enrique.
Francisco I. Madero
He was a revolutionary president of Mexico, wrote the Plan of San Luis, and published the book Sucesión Presidencial, about democracy.
Henry Lane Wilson
He is considered by some as the worst ambassador sent from the USA to Mexico. He promoted the military revolt against Madero in 1913.
Victoriano Huerta
He was a president of Mexico after the Decena Trágica, betrayed Madero, and established a counterrevolutionary dictatorship.
Important Events and Documents
Díaz-Creelman Interview
An interview about the government in Mexico, Díaz said that Mexicans were too immature to form a democracy. This encouraged people to participate in the next elections.
Plan of San Luis
It was published on October 5, 1910, and written by Francisco I. Madero. It called for kicking Díaz out of the presidency, proclaimed Madero as provisional president, and called the Mexican people to revolt on November 20, 1910.
Capture of Ciudad Juárez
In May 1911, Madero’s forces captured Ciudad Juárez. This forced Díaz to announce his retirement on May 25, 1911.
Decena Trágica
A military coup d’état that took place from February 9 to 19, 1913, to overthrow Francisco I. Madero from the presidency of Mexico.
Embassy Pact
An agreement signed by General Victoriano Huerta, General Félix Díaz, and the United States ambassador to Mexico Henry Lane Wilson, to overthrow the Madero government.
Plan of Ayala
An agrarian rebellion that called for the return of lands stolen by haciendas during the Porfiriato. It was published by Emiliano Zapata.
Plan of Guadalupe
A plan written by Carranza, it rejected Huerta as president and his legitimacy.
Convention of Aguascalientes
Delegations of Carrancistas, Villistas & Zapatistas got together in Aguascalientes to organize the country, but Carranza became enemies with Villa & Zapata.
Factions and Leaders
Villistas
Pancho Villa supporters, peasants, rural & urban workers that formed the División del Norte.
Zapatistas
Emiliano Zapata supporters, peasants & laborers in Morelos & Guerrero.
Constitucionalistas
Venustiano Carranza supporters, land owners, professional workers, peasants & merchants.
The Mexican Constitution of 1917
Reasons for a New Constitution
Carranza wanted to amend the constitution of 1857.
Constituent Congress
The new Constituent Congress that would create the new Constitution was installed in the Teatro de la República, Querétaro.
- Conservative Faction: the Constitucionalistas
- Progressive Faction: Villistas & Zapatistas
Key Articles
- Article 3: Contemplates the right to education.
- Article 4: Right to health protection.
- Article 27: Proclaims that all land and resources belong to the nation.
- Article 123: Labor rights
International Influence
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 was emulated by Russians and Germans because it was the first constitution that included social rights.
Post-Revolution Period
Presidencialismo
A form of government in which it establishes a division of powers between the executive, legislative & judicial power.
Álvaro Obregón
Obregón remained on Carranza’s side and became a very important military figure in the fight against the Villistas and the Zapatistas.
Plan of Agua Prieta
Document proclaimed by the Sonorenses, it denounced Carranza’s attempts to manipulate the elections and called for his ousting.
Sonoristas (or the Sonora Group)
A group conformed by the followers of the 3 most famous Sonora generals: Alvaro Obregón, Plutarco E. Calles & Adolfo de la Huerta.
Caudillo
Leader who guides armed, political, or ideological movements & represents the interests of certain groups.
Caudillismo
Phenomenon characterized by the appearance of charismatic leaders who convince others that they can solve their problems or win their battles, and enjoy mass popular support.
Corporatismo
Doctrine that justifies an economic system based on centralization through companies or other organizations.
Treaties of Bucareli
Obregón managed to formally achieve the recognition of the US government by signing these treaties.
Assassination of Pancho Villa
On July 20, 1923, Pancho Villa was assassinated in Parral. Some believe Plutarco E. Calles was scared that he would start another rebellion.
Delahuertista Rebellion
A social and political confrontation by the state power in order to avoid the imposition of Calles when the elections had not yet been held.
Ley Calles
It was published on June 14, 1926, in order to limit Catholic worship and priesthood in Mexico in accordance with the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States in 1917. It provoked the Cristiada.
José de León Toral
Mexican Cristero, known for being the assassin of the elected president of Mexico, Álvaro Obregón, on July 17, 1928.
Obregón’s Legacy
Obregón was considered by many as a traitor to the Revolution because he betrayed those who got in his way to keep his power.
Plutarco Elías Calles’s Reaction
After Obregón was assassinated, Plutarco Elías Calles said: “Did you want to be president? Whatever, because you didn’t arrive.”
PNR
The National Revolutionary Party (PNR) had emerged in 1929 as a solution to face the political crisis caused by the assassination of the then elected president Álvaro Obregón.
Interim President
after the death of Obregón? Plutarco Elías Calles