Mexican Politics, ISI, and the 1968 Olympics

Cardenas' Economic Policies and ISI

• Cardenas' economic policies are referred to as populist, Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI).
• ISI is an economic modernization strategy that uses the state to industrialize rather than relying on markets.
• During the Cold War, ISI might have been viewed by the U.S. as a socialist approach but was more accepted in Latin America before the Cold War.
• In the 1930s, economic nationalism was prominent, leading to the nationalization of railroads, mines, and, most importantly, the oil industry.
• These nationalization efforts were effective and served as a model for other Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador (though Ecuador faced challenges).
• Mexico produced a sizable middle class, unlike other Latin American countries with vast economic inequality.
• The Mexican government provided social services like a good education system, a transportation system.
• The government reinvested oil revenue into social programs, providing cheap rent, transportation, education, and healthcare.
• In the mid-to-late 1960s, Mexico City had nice, large public housing apartments for the middle class.
• The Mexican middle class consumed global consumer culture products like cars and televisions and engaged with international literature.
• Economic populism, nationalism, and ISI contributed to a unique society in Mexico, characterized by neither grinding poverty nor extreme abundance.

The Rise of a New Generation

• The first generation of the Mexican middle class had options and access to universities, similar to the hippies in the U.S.
• This generation transformed politics, inspired by Fidelismo and the new left movements.
• They admired Che Guevara and took pride in Fidel Castro's revolutionary planning in Mexico City.
• Mexico was regarded as the elder statesman of revolutionaries, having had its revolution in the 1910s and 1920.
• The government promoted the idea that Mexico didn't need another revolution but would support others.
• However, the younger generation viewed the ruling PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) as corrupt and not representative of the revolution's legacy.
• They split from mainstream politics, including the socialist and communist parties, deeming them corrupt.

Formation of New Left Groups

• These young people formed new left groups, notably the MLN (Movement for National Liberation), led by Cardenas' son.
• The MLN was consciously part of the new left, advocating for revolutionary action over traditional politics.
• The elder Cardenas acted as a negotiator between the global new left and the Mexican political establishment.
• During OAS (Organization of American States) meetings, when the U.S. pressured Latin American countries to sever ties with Cuba, Mexico was the only country that refused.
• Mexico preserved its diplomatic independence, maintaining relations with both Cuba and the U.S., asserting its autonomy.

Political Cartoon Analysis

• A political cartoon depicted the Mexican left devouring itself, with the MLN and socialist party undermining the broader movement.
• Another cartoon portrayed Cardenas as resembling Fidel Castro, suggesting a departure from his agrarian reform roots, with peasants feeling alienated.

The 1968 Olympics and its Significance

• Mexico's hosting of the 1968 Olympics was a significant event, requiring careful presentation of the country to the world.
• There was a debate on whether to emphasize Mexico's Aztec past or its modern industrial status.
• The assassination of JFK had a Mexico connection, as Lee Harvey Oswald had been in Mexico City.
• The Olympics were seen as a showcase of the "Mexican miracle," the creation of a middle class and a stable economy.
• Mexico was viewed as a beacon of hope in a Latin America plagued by revolutions, insurgencies, and dictatorships.
• The Olympics were intended to demonstrate Mexico's unique success and relative democracy.
• A student movement emerged, aiming to expose the perceived corruption and authoritarianism of the PRI during the Olympics.
• The students sought to reveal the "real" Mexico to the world, protesting against the government's actions.
• The government's reaction to these protests was violent, culminating in a massacre.

The Tlatelolco Massacre

• The Tlatelolco Massacre involved the military opening fire on student protesters in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Mexico City.
• This event marked a turning point in Mexican history, signaling the beginning of the decline of the "Mexican miracle" and the rise of a more authoritarian state.
• The massacre exposed the PRI's vicious and corrupt nature, disillusioning people across the political spectrum.
• The students' demands were moderate, including freedom for political prisoners, removal of brutal army officials, and indemnification for victims of repression.

Connections to the Chicano Movement

• There were direct connections between the Mexican student movement and the Chicano movement in the United States.
• Activists and journalists moved between the two movements, sharing ideas and experiences.
• The Mexican student movement was part of a broader global context of political upheaval and the collapse of respectable governments.
• The United States, once seen as a force for good, faced criticism for its actions, including violence against anti-war protesters.

Slogans and Global Context

• The slogan for Mexico's Olympic Commission was "all is possible in peace,"
• This reflected Mexico's desire to be a force for peace during the Cold War and the Vietnam War.
• Mexico aimed to present itself as an independent, balancing force in a divided world, a position made possible by its economic progress.

Diaz Ordaz and the Repression

• President Díaz Ordaz, a fervent anti-communist, viewed the Olympic bid differently, prioritizing the suppression of protests to maintain Mexico's image.
• He ordered troops to crack down on protesters, leading to the Tlatelolco Massacre.
• The massacre represented the start of the Mexico known today: corrupt, possibly a narco-state, and with a hollowed-out government.

The Mexican Miracle at Stake

• The Mexican miracle and the Good Neighbor policy were at stake, with global forces watching Mexico.
• The events leading up to the Olympics and the massacre constituted a "perfect storm."

Student Demands

• The students' demands included:
  • Freedom for political prisoners
  • Removal of specific army officials
  • Extinction of a special forces unit targeting protests
  • Repeal of certain penal code articles
  • Indemnification for families of the dead and injured
  • A public dialogue

Conclusion

• Overall, Mexico was part of the global new left that started with Fidel Castro. Images of Che Guevara were used in protests and newspapers to demonstrate support for the movement. Furthermore, Mexico's current government is a result of the events that happened in 1968.