Mexican Revolution Key Terms and Events Study Guide

constitutionalists

A group during the Mexican Revolution advocating for a constitutional government.

Convention of Aguascalientes

A meeting held in 1914 to address the factions within the Mexican Revolution.

Battle of Celaya

A significant battle in 1915 between the forces of Pancho Villa and the Constitutionalist army.

Punitive Expedition

A military operation led by the United States in 1916 to capture Pancho Villa.

Convention of Querétaro

A convention in 1917 that led to the drafting of the new Mexican Constitution.

José Vasconcelos

A prominent Mexican philosopher and politician known for his contributions to education and culture.

indigenismo

A political and cultural movement in Mexico that emphasizes the importance of indigenous peoples.

Plutarco Calles

A Mexican politician who served as president from 1924 to 1928 and was a key figure in post-revolutionary politics.

Cristero Rebellion

A violent conflict in Mexico from 1926 to 1929 between the government and those opposing anti-Catholic laws.

Constitution of 1917

The current constitution of Mexico, which was enacted as a result of the Mexican Revolution.

Lazaro Cardenas

President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940, known for land reforms and nationalization of the oil industry.

Maximato

A period from 1920 to 1940 in Mexico characterized by the dominance of Plutarco Calles.

Porfiriato

The period of Porfirio Díaz's rule in Mexico from 1876 to 1911, marked by modernization and repression.

CROM

Confederación Regional de Obreros Mexicanos, a major labor organization in Mexico.

PNR

Partido Nacional Revolucionario, the political party founded in 1929 that later became the PRI.

mestizo

A person of mixed European and indigenous ancestry in Mexico.

criollo

A person of pure Spanish descent born in the Americas.

La Reforma

A liberal reform movement in Mexico during the 19th century aimed at reducing the power of the church.

anti-clericalism

Opposition to the influence of the clergy in political and social affairs.

Benito Juarez

A Mexican lawyer and politician who served as president and is known for his reforms.

cientifícos

A group of advisors to Porfirio Díaz who advocated for modernization and economic development.

ejido

A communal landholding system in Mexico, particularly for agricultural use.

hacienda

A large estate or plantation in Mexico, often associated with agricultural production.

rurales

A rural police force in Mexico during the Porfirio Díaz era.

Yacquis

An indigenous group in Mexico, primarily located in the state of Sonora.

José Limantour

A Mexican politician and economist who served as Minister of Finance under Porfirio Díaz.

Porfirio Diaz

A Mexican general and politician who served as president for several terms and was a key figure in the Porfiriato.

James Creelman

A journalist known for his interviews with Mexican leaders during the Revolution.

Francisco Madero

A revolutionary leader who became president of Mexico after the overthrow of Díaz.

Plan of San Luis Potosi

A document issued by Madero in 1910 calling for the overthrow of Díaz.

Francisco "Pancho" Villa

A prominent Mexican revolutionary general known for his leadership in the northern part of Mexico.

Emiliano Zapata

A leading figure in the Mexican Revolution who advocated for agrarian reform.

Plan of Ayala

A document issued by Zapata in 1911 that called for land reform.

Pascual Orozco

A revolutionary leader who initially supported Madero but later opposed him.

Victoriano Huerta

A military officer who seized power in Mexico in 1913 and became president.

Henry Lane Wilson

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico who played a role in Huerta's rise to power.

Pact of the Embassy

An agreement between U.S. officials and Huerta to support his regime.

Decena Trágica

A ten-day period in 1913 marked by violence and political upheaval in Mexico.

Venustiano Carranza

A leader of the Mexican Revolution who later became president and enacted the 1917 Constitution.

Plan of Guadalupe

A document issued by Carranza in 1914 that called for the overthrow of Huerta.

Alvaro Obregón

A general during the Mexican Revolution who later became president.