Module 5

Module 5 History 2015 Readings

Chapter 7: Revolution from Countryside to City: Mexico

Thematic Summary

  • Historical Context of Mexican Revolution

    • Illustrates the struggles against Spanish colonialism leading to the 20th century.

    • The Revolution is emblematic of the quest for empowerment of the masses.

  • Independence Gains and Losses

    • After gaining independence, Mexico underwent a period of consolidation.

    • Agustín Iturbide:

      • Became Agustín I, the Emperor of Mexico.

      • His empire was short-lived, collapsing from 1821 to 1823.

    • First Mexican Republic established in 1824.

  • Internal Conflict Post-Independence

    • The struggle between the Conservative elite and the emerging modernizing elite spanned decades.

  • Territorial Loss to the United States

    • In 1848, Mexico ceded northern territories following a military defeat led by Antonio López de Santa Anna.

  • Liberal Reforms of 1854

    • Liberal reformers gained control and established a constitution in 1857.

    • New constitution prioritized:

      • Separation of church and state

      • Educational reforms

      • Equality before the law

      • Removal of special privileges held by the Catholic Church and indigenous communities.

    • Resulted in civil war initiated by the Conservatives, which involved:

    • Invasion of French troops.

    • Establishment of a monarchy under Maximilian, an Austrian prince, who was executed in 1867.

  • Return to Reformist Government and Díaz's Rule

    • Following Conservative defeat, a reformist government emerged until Porfirio Díaz overthrew it in 1876.

    • Díaz's rule known as the Porfiriato (1876 - 1910) emphasized:

    • Heavy-handed approaches to governance promoting "order and progress."

    • Rapid economic modernization and foreign investment.

    • End of prolonged economic stagnation.

    • By the end of the 19th century:

    • Mexico was predominantly rural.

    • Depended significantly on the U.S. for trade and investment.

    • Experienced social and economic divides stratified by class and ethnicity.

    • Dominated by regional Caudillos.

Early 20th Century Conflicts

  • The first decade of the 20th century marked intense economic and political struggles in Mexico.

  • Despite Díaz's actions, societal structures remained unchanged, leading to national unification aimed at equity.

    • Agrarian sector struggles were prominent due to:

    • Harsh living and working conditions.

    • Broader inclusion of other sectors:

    • Miners and urban industrial/service workers.

The Mexican Revolution

  • Launch of the Revolution (1910):

    • Prompted by widespread discontent, leading to Díaz's exile.

    • Concluded in 1920.

    • Characterized by:

    • Multi-front warfare, especially in the northern regions tied to economic structures.

    • Resulted in approximately 10% of Mexico’s population deaths.

Outcomes of the Revolution

  • Constitution of 1917:

    • Promulgated following the revolution.

    • Major reforms included:

    • Abolition of the Hacienda system inherited from Spanish colonialism.

    • Unification of peasant and working classes under the revolutionary government.

    • Legal provisions allowing federal authorities to expropriate lands and industries for national interest.

  • Continued Uprisings:

    • Although reforms were implemented, they did not eradicate deep-seated social, ethnic, and cultural divides in Latin America.

    • Persistent struggles of the dispossessed leading to ongoing conflicts and uprisings throughout the 20th century.

Research Report Questions

  1. The Porfiriato's Contradictions:

    • Unification and Connection:

      • Achieved a centralized state enhancing cohesion in a diverse nation.

    • Negative Impacts:

      • Heightened poverty, rural hardships, corruption.

      • Concentrated wealth among a few powerful elites.

    • Outline main contours of Porfirio Díaz's governance and its dual impact on society.

  2. Transformation of Women's Roles:

    • Analyze how the Mexican Revolution affected women's societal roles in urban and rural settings.

  3. Impact of the 1917 Constitution:

    • Examine if the progressive nature of the Constitution transformed Mexican society or remained largely ineffective as a legal framework.

  4. Cristero Revolt vs. Canudos Uprising:

    • Compare religious motivations intertwined with social class issues in both uprisings, highlighting conflicts between isolated rural communities and emerging urban governments.

Keywords and Terms

  • The Porfiriato

  • Francisco Madero

  • Emiliano Zapata

  • Francisco “Pancho Villa”

  • Hacendados

  • Frida Kahlo

  • The Mexican Constitution of 1917

  • Cristero Rebellion

  • Diego Rivera

  • Venustiano Carranza

  • General Victoriano Huerta

  • Partido Revolucionario Institucional

  • Los Cientificos

  • Caste War of the Yucatán

  • Mexican Revolution

  • Pan y palo

  • Veracruz

  • Cananea Copper Company

  • Chihuahua

  • Soldaderas