Chicano 3/19/25 (Cardenas, Mex & US…)

Historical Context of the 1930s in Mexico and the U.S.

• Focus on the relationship between the Southwest U.S. and Mexico.

• Key events include:

  • Labor organizing by Mexican and Mexican American workers.

  • The Great Depression impacting both countries, leading to populist policies.

Populism and its Impacts

• Populism influenced the governmental response to labor strikes.

• Unique dynamic where FDR looked to Mexico for solutions rather than the usual American model for Latin America.

• Cárdenas in Mexico was pivotal in establishing these populist policies, influencing his political era and the generation leading to the Chicano movement.

Cárdenas and Economic Reforms

• Cárdenas aimed to fulfill the promises of the Mexican Revolution through meaningful reforms.

  • His presidency came at a time when previous revolutionary promises were largely unfulfilled.

• Nationalization of the oil industry:

  • Oil was a major factor in Cárdenas's policies due to threats of strikes from workers.

  • He negotiated with oil owners and successfully nationalized the oil industry, overcoming significant challenges and external pressures, especially from the U.S. during WWII.

• Development of a national bank account for public investment in oil fields:

  • Community participation in funding, signifying national unity and pride.

  • Celebration of successful acquisitions of nationalized oil fields.

Broader Economic Policies - Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)

• Objective: Break dependency on single export economies and build a diverse internal market.

• Resulted in the emergence of a Mexican middle class, referred to as the Mexican miracle.

• Cultural transformation with growth in local industry influenced by U.S. corporate culture.

Cultural Impact of Economic Growth

• Middle-class values began reflecting global consumption patterns.

• Example: Rock and roll music was adapted into a localized context.

• 1968 Olympics in Mexico as a significant cultural moment, showcasing modernity alongside traditional identity.

  • The juxtaposition of cosmopolitan identity with governmental repression during protests.

Agrarian Reforms

• Cárdenas's approach included establishing ejidos, communal lands, promoting collective ownership and decision-making.

• Failed to translate effectively in the U.S. with the Bankhead Bill focused on individual land ownership without addressing the issue of access to capital for new landowners.

• Relevance of this period emphasizes the collaborative learning between U.S. and Mexico in addressing agrarian reform amidst economic hardship.

Conclusion

• Cárdenas's influence remained significant beyond his presidency, shaping Mexican political landscape and relations with the U.S.

• Exploration of cultural and economic intertwining shapes understanding of how identity and history are expressed in societal changes.