Mexican Revolution Study guide

Presidency of Porfirio Diaz:

Porfirio Diaz was a dictator that ruled Mexico from 1876 until his overthrow in 1911, he was credited for fixing Mexico and bringing it to the modern era of the world at the time, even if he did it through means of violent manners.

Cientificos:

Worked for Porfirio Diaz and used positivist philosophy to modernise Mexico through science, industry, and rational governance, and prioritize the growth of economic state over a democratic government. They were a well known, strong faction in Mexico, though they did have controversial beliefs.

Hacendados:

These were wealthy land owners of vast agricultural estates (haciendas) that came about during Spanish colonization to reward loyalists, control land, and exploit labor of workers.

Social groups:

• There were several different social groups during the time of Porfirio Diaz’s rule, these consisted of The Upper Class (Elite), The Middle Class, and the lower class.

• The Cientificos were the business men who were often linked to foreign investors, they were the ones who benefited the most from Diaz and his regime, Large Landowners (Hacendados) were people who would gain land from poor and working class people in Mexico who had no power, Foreigners who were often investors gained wealthy status in Mexico due to their investment into the rebuilding of Mexico.

• Then there were those a part of the middle class, these included groups of professionals and merchants who adopted the European lifestyle, they emphasized education, family and morally right paths though never were allowed into the elite class.

• Lastly there were those who were a part of the poor and working class, Rural Proletariat the vast majority of peasants still in Mexico but who had nothing, Indigenous Communities who lost their ancestral lands, and lastly Urban Workers who worked under harsh and unfair conditions.

US Investment:

• Porfiro Diaz wanted investment to be a wide range of things to be able to rebuild Mexico, he used the United States to do this. With their money he was able to modernise Mexico to the status it should have been if not for being left behind by conflict and issues that had a choke hold on Mexico for years before. The United States helped fund railroads, mining (silver, copper), oil, and agriculture. Though this wasn’t just to help another country it was a business deal meant to make money and get the rich richer. This was a key factor that would later lead to resentment and the Mexican Revolution.

Cananea Strike 1906:

Mexican miners struck against the U.S.-owned Cananea Consolidated Copper Company for equal pay and an 8-hour day this caused them to face violent suppression by the U.S, this caused people to turn on Diaz and be a fuel in the fire for the Mexican revolution.

The Creelman Interview:

The Creelman interview was supposed to be fake good press for Porifiro Diaz, he had stated in the interview that he feels that he is ready to let someone else run, the people believed this and ran with the sentiment that they could vote someone else in. Francisco Madero believed it as well and decided to run, he was able to get avid support from the citizens of Mexico and soon it really did seem like it was the truth. That was until Diaz had Francisco Madero arrested before he could become the replacement, this was a major reason the Mexican Revolution started. Like a match to fire.

Francisco Madero and the Anti-Reelectionist Campaign:

Francisco I. Madero’s Anti-Reelectionist Campaign (1909–1910) was the primary catalyst for the Mexican Revolution. It transformed a localized middle-class political reform movement into a national armed uprising that toppled the 30-year dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. 

Plan de San Luis Potosí:

• The Plan de San Luis Potosí was a political manifesto issued by Francisco I. Madero on October 5, 1910. It is widely considered the founding document that launched the Mexican Revolution.

• The plan was made by Francisco Madero to launch the Mexican Revolution after he had escaped from San Luis Potosí and fled to San Antonio, Texas. The plan was to state that an armed uprising was the only path left.

Capture of Ciudad Juarez & Treaty of Ciudad Juarez:

The Capture of Ciudad Juárez in May 1911 was the decisive military victory that effectively ended the 30-year dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. It led directly to the Treaty of Ciudad Juárez, which established a ceasefire and a roadmap for a new government.

Emiliano Zapata: Tierra y Liberdad!

"Tierra y Libertad" (Land and Liberty) was the primary rallying cry of Emiliano Zapata and his followers, the Zapatistas, during the Mexican Revolution. It summarized the central goal of the peasant uprising in southern Mexico: the return of stolen lands and the achievement of true individual freedom through self-sufficiency.

Zapata and Madero:

The relationship between Emiliano Zapata and Francisco Madero transformed from a strategic alliance into a bitter, violent conflict that redefined the course of the Mexican Revolution.

• Zapata and Madero were originally allies due to the agreement of wanting to fight for land reform and defeat Porfirio Diaz, though they later split due to differences in opinion and wants for the new government. -

• Madero was still a wealthy landowner who wanted to focus on land reform. Zapata was for land specifically and refused to disarm due to the fear that he and his people (lower class) would lose power/leverage on the haciendas, Madero’s plan of The Plan of Ayala, was the final straw in their relationship.

Presidency of Francisco Madero:

Francisco Madero served as the 37th President of Mexico from November 6, 1911, to February 19, 1913, after his revolution toppled Porfirio Díaz's dictatorship. His presidency was marked by efforts to establish a democracy and implement moderate reforms, but he faced constant challenges from both conservative and radical factions, leading to his eventual overthrow and assassination. (democratic system)

The Plan de Ayala November 1911

The Plan de Ayala was a revolutionary manifesto proclaimed by Emiliano Zapata on November 28, 1911, in Ayala, Morelos. Drafted with teacher Otilio Montaño Sánchez, it served as the "Magna Carta" of the Zapatista movement.

• The plan was created by Zapata due to feeling betrayed by Madero, calling him power hungry and how he had never cared about land reform, as well as highlighting the failed democracy. The document listed a new structure and land reform issues.

The Decena Trágica:

• The Decena Trágica (Spanish for the "Ten Tragic Days") was a violent, multi-day military coup d'état that took place in Mexico City from February 9 to February 18, 1913. This event resulted in the overthrow and assassination of the democratically elected president, Francisco I. Madero, and his vice president, José María Pino Suárez.

US Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson & The Pact of the Embassy:

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Henry Lane Wilson played a pivotal and highly controversial role in the 1913 coup d'état against President Francisco I. Madero, which culminated in the signing of the Pact of the Embassy.

• The "Pact of the Embassy" (also known as the Pact of the Ciudadela) was the formal agreement reached in the U.S. embassy between the rebel leaders, brokered by Ambassador Wilson.

Venustiano Carranza:

Venustiano Carranza (1859–1920) was a wealthy landowner, politician, and a key leader in the Mexican Revolution, who served as President of Mexico from 1917 to 1920. He is known as the "First Chief" (Primer Jefe) of the Constitutionalist Army and the primary force behind the progressive Mexican Constitution of 1917.

The Plan de Guadalupe:

• The Plan de Guadalupe was a political manifesto issued by Venustiano Carranza on March 26, 1913, in response to the illegal coup and assassination of President Francisco I. Madero. It served as the foundational document for the Constitutionalist Army, which eventually defeated the usurper government of Victoriano Huerta.

  • The Constitutionalist Army successfully defeated the Federal Army, forcing Huerta to resign and go into exile in July 1914.

Woodrow Wilson and Huerta 1913:

• Woodrow Wilson's policy toward Victoriano Huerta in 1913 was defined by "moral diplomacy" and a categorical refusal to recognize Huerta's government, which Wilson famously referred to as a "government of butchers". This stance was a stark departure from previous U.S. foreign policy and was central to Madero's eventual downfall.

US Intervention 1914:

• The 1914 U.S. intervention in Mexico involved the naval bombardment and seven-month occupation of the port of Veracruz by American forces, stemming from the Tampico Affair and President Woodrow Wilson's desire to oust the unconstitutional regime of Victoriano Huerta.

The Convention of Aguascalientes:

The Convention of Aguascalientes was a major assembly of revolutionary leaders in late 1914 aimed at unifying the factions that had just defeated Victoriano Huerta and electing a new national government.

Villa meets Zapata December 1914:

• The historic meeting between Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata took place in December 1914, representing a unique moment of unity between the northern and southern revolutionary forces during the Mexican Revolution.

The two men were very different from one another, though in this meeting there had been a special amount of unity in beliefs. This was due to the Xochimilco Convention (Pact of Xochimilco). “Villa's División del Norte and Zapata's Ejército Libertador del Sur—signed an agreement to solidify their alliance against Carranza who did not agree to the terms in the Convention of Aguascalientes.

Villa Attacks the US March 1916:

• On March 9, 1916, Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa and his forces conducted a surprise attack and raid on the U.S. border town of Columbus, New Mexico. This was the only foreign attack on the continental U.S. since the War of 1812 and provoked immediate U.S. military intervention.

The Pershing Expedition 1916- January 1917:

The Punitive Expedition (also known as the Mexican Expedition) was a U.S. military operation from March 1916 to February 1917 that ventured deep into northern Mexico with the goal of capturing or killing the revolutionary leader Pancho Villa.

The Constitution of 1917:

• The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 is the current constitution of Mexico and was a direct outcome of the Mexican Revolution. It was the first constitution in world history to set out comprehensive social rights and remains in force today.

  The document was framed by a constituent congress convened by Venustiano Carranza in Querétaro in late 1916 and was ratified on February 5, 1917.

Article 3:

• Article 3: Secular and Free Education

  Established mandatory, free, public, and secular education, strictly separating it from religious influence. No religious corporation could establish or direct primary schools.

Article 27:

• Article 27: Land Reform and National Resources

  Asserted that original ownership of all land and water within national territory is vested in the Nation. It established the legal basis for land redistribution (breaking up large estates, or haciendas, into communal ejidos), a key demand of Emiliano Zapata.

  Crucially, it stated that the nation had direct ownership of all subsoil resources, including minerals and petroleum, which enabled future nationalization of the oil industry.

  It restricted foreigners from owning land near borders or coastlines and required them to accept national jurisdiction regarding property claims.

Article 123:

• Article 123: Labor Rights (Magna Carta of Labor)

  Recognized a comprehensive set of labor rights, a major victory for the working class. It mandated an eight-hour workday, a six-day workweek, a minimum wage, equal pay for equal work, and the rights to organize and strike.

  It also abolished debt servitude (company stores and perpetual debt) and included provisions for workplace safety and social security.

The Zapatistas in Morelos:

The Zapatistas, led by Emiliano Zapata, were the primary revolutionary force in the southern state of Morelos. Their movement was centered on the demand for agrarian reform and the return of communal lands (ejidos) that had been unjustly seized by large sugarcane haciendas during the Porfiriato dictatorship.

Assassination of Zapata 1919:

• Emiliano Zapata was assassinated on April 10, 1919, through a carefully planned ambush orchestrated by agents of Mexican President Venustiano Carranza. The plot was carried out by Carrancista Colonel Jesús Guajardo at the Hacienda de San Juan Chinameca in Morelos.

Death of Carranza 1920:

Venustiano Carranza was assassinated on May 21, 1920, in the remote mountain village of Tlaxcalantongo, Puebla. His death occurred during his flight from Mexico City following a military rebellion that ended his presidency.

Presidency of Alvaro Obregón 1920-24:

Álvaro Obregón served as President of Mexico from December 1, 1920, to November 30, 1924, following a decade of civil war. His administration focused on national reconstruction, pacification, and the moderate implementation of the 1917 Constitution, establishing relative peace and the foundation for modern post-revolutionary Mexico.

Obregón: Education:

• Obregón's most significant and enduring domestic accomplishment was the overhaul of the Mexican educational system during his presidency (1920–1924). He transformed education from an elite privilege into a nationwide effort to integrate indigenous populations, promote national identity, and foster social progress.

Obregón: Labor:

• During the presidency of Álvaro Obregón (1920–1924), labor policy was defined by a pragmatic alliance between the state and organized labor. Obregón used the labor movement as a key political pillar to achieve stability and consolidate post-revolutionary control, rather than allowing a fully independent workers' movement to flourish.

Obregón: Agrarian Reform:

• Álvaro Obregón's approach to agrarian reform was characterized by pragmatism, moderation, and the use of land distribution as a political tool to consolidate stability, rather than the radical, immediate implementation demanded by leaders like Emiliano Zapata.

Obregón and the US:

• Relations between Álvaro Obregón and the United States were dominated by two crucial issues: securing U.S. diplomatic recognition of his government and concerns over American property rights, particularly oil interests, guaranteed under Article 27 of the 1917 Constitution.

The Plutarco Calles Years 1924-1934:

The period from 1924 to 1934 in Mexico was dominated by Plutarco Elías Calles, a pivotal figure who served as president from 1924 to 1928 and then ruled from behind the scenes as the "Maximum Chief" (Jefe Máximo) of the Revolution during a period known as the Maximato (1928-1934).

Calles: Agrarian Reform:

• Plutarco Elías Calles's approach to agrarian reform evolved significantly during his time in power (1924–1934), shifting from moderate support during his presidency to near stagnation and opposition during the Maximato period.

Calles: Education and Health:

Plutarco Elías Calles built upon the educational foundations laid by Álvaro Obregón and José Vasconcelos, focusing on practical skills, technical training, and expanding public health infrastructure during his presidency (1924–1928).

Calles and the US:

• Relations between Plutarco Elías Calles and the United States were initially strained by Mexican nationalism but ultimately stabilized through pragmatic diplomacy and a shared interest in stability.

The Cristero Rebellion 1926-29:

The Cristero Rebellion (also known as the Cristero War or Cristiada) was a brutal and widespread armed conflict in west-central Mexico from August 1926 to June 1929. The spontaneous mass uprising of Catholic peasants and urban supporters was a response to the Mexican government's severe anti-Catholic policies.

The Maximato 1929-34:

• The Maximato (1929–1934) was a six-year period in Mexican history where former president Plutarco Elías Calles ruled the country as the "Maximum Chief" (Jefe Máximo), acting as the power behind the presidency while three figurehead "puppet" presidents held office. This era marked the end of caudillo (strongman) politics and the beginning of institutionalized rule through a single political party.

The Maximato and the Military:

During the Maximato (1929-1934), the military remained the backbone of the government's power, but former president Plutarco Elías Calles worked to gradually depoliticize and professionalize the armed forces to end the cycle of military coups that characterized post-revolutionary Mexico.

The Maximato and Agrarian Reform:

Land redistribution slows. The Terrazas-Creel Clan was able to re-purchase land previously lost.

Maximato Education:

Rural education is de-emphasized.

Maximato Labor:

The government withdrew support for CROM. Morones was exposed as corrupt. “The anti-Communist hysteria reached its apex in 1930 and 1931, years that witnessed the aberrance of the Gold Shirts, a fascist inspired organization of thugs whose self-appointed task was to terrorize all Communists and Jews.”

The Carranza Presidency 1917-1920:

Carranza confused a change in government with a change in society

Despite Article 27, he distributed only 450,000 acres of land.

In 1915 and again in 1916, Carranza used troops to suppress strikes.