The Mexican Revolution Origins, Timelines, and Impacts

Why Revolution, and Why 1910? Complex reasons; the revolution is not a unified process Complex reasons; the revolution is not a unified process Gradual mutation of attitudes between ; more and more individuals abandoning the hope of social and political progress in the framework of the existing order Gradual mutation of attitudes between ; more and more individuals abandoning the hope of social and political progress in the framework of the existing order Agitation from above and below Agitation from above and below Porfiriato = years of frustration for those who want change Porfiriato = years of frustration for those who want change

The Flores Magon Brothers & Regeneracion Birth of 20 th century liberalism; what is it? Birth of 20 th century liberalism; what is it? Regeracion their mouthpiece, openly critical of the Diaz policies; brothers Jesus, Ricardo, and Enrique Regeracion their mouthpiece, openly critical of the Diaz policies; brothers Jesus, Ricardo, and Enrique Face retribution from Diaz Face retribution from Diaz Connections to the US Connections to the US First time notion of social reform should come before political reform First time notion of social reform should come before political reform

Labor Violence Yaqui Revolt Yaqui Revolt Labor strike at Cananea Copper Mine (Sonora) Labor strike at Cananea Copper Mine (Sonora) –June 1906 –Colonel William Greene and defense of American interests –Role of Regeneracion and labor agitation –Violent response by Diaz’ agents Labor strike at Rio Blanco textile mill (Veracruz) Labor strike at Rio Blanco textile mill (Veracruz) Flores Magon brothers implicated in these events; but Diaz did not see these as indicative of larger problems = isolated events Flores Magon brothers implicated in these events; but Diaz did not see these as indicative of larger problems = isolated events

The Creelman Interview 1908 interview given by Diaz to James Creelman, reporter for the NY Times 1908 interview given by Diaz to James Creelman, reporter for the NY Times Message sent: Message sent: –Ready to retire; welcomed opposition parties and was ready to promote democracy Why? Why? –Did the interview as bait to bring out opposition so that he could easily “deal” with them –Sincere in his remarks; subsequent events forced him to change his mind Gearing up for the Election of 1910 Gearing up for the Election of 1910

Emergence of Francisco Madero Background Background Advocating a political revolution as the solution Advocating a political revolution as the solution Had experience with plight of the landless poor; yet believed that solutions came from individuals, not society Had experience with plight of the landless poor; yet believed that solutions came from individuals, not society Moderate vs. radical liberals; Flores Magon brothers felt he ignored the stark social reality of Mexico at the time Moderate vs. radical liberals; Flores Magon brothers felt he ignored the stark social reality of Mexico at the time

Campaign and Election of 1910 Madero vs. Diaz; anti-Diaz rhetoric rising; arrest of Madero Madero vs. Diaz; anti-Diaz rhetoric rising; arrest of Madero –Fomenting rebellion –Insulting public authorities Madero jailed, Diaz victorious Madero jailed, Diaz victorious Response = Plan de San Luis Potosi Response = Plan de San Luis Potosi Reveals Madero’s concern for democracy and political reforms before social change Reveals Madero’s concern for democracy and political reforms before social change Serves, however, and the opening shots of the Revolution Serves, however, and the opening shots of the Revolution

Birth & Fragmentation of the Revolution Continues to emphasize the long historical tradition in Mexico of regionalism and fragmentation Continues to emphasize the long historical tradition in Mexico of regionalism and fragmentation Centers of revolt in North, Central, and Southern Mexico; goals different Centers of revolt in North, Central, and Southern Mexico; goals different A revolution or a civil war? To be answered later……. A revolution or a civil war? To be answered later……. Significant long term impact on the development of Mexico in the 20 th century; the defining modern event Significant long term impact on the development of Mexico in the 20 th century; the defining modern event

Revolution in the North Pascual Orozco in Western Chihuahua Pascual Orozco in Western Chihuahua Pancho Villa, also in Chihuahua Pancho Villa, also in Chihuahua Support of disaffected miners, ranchers, indigenous groups Support of disaffected miners, ranchers, indigenous groups Not much opposition from Porfirian Army Not much opposition from Porfirian Army Advocating labor and land reforms in the North – individual access to land; labor codes that protect the worker Advocating labor and land reforms in the North – individual access to land; labor codes that protect the worker

Revolution in the South Represents the ideas of change in Southern Mexico = Emiliano Zapata Represents the ideas of change in Southern Mexico = Emiliano Zapata Primary focus – inherent rights/access to land; responding to the reality of land concentration during the Porfirian period (Plan de Ayala) Primary focus – inherent rights/access to land; responding to the reality of land concentration during the Porfirian period (Plan de Ayala) Initially does not support the Plan de San Luis Potosi; but eventually comes around to the ideas of the Revolution Initially does not support the Plan de San Luis Potosi; but eventually comes around to the ideas of the Revolution

Exile of Diaz Madero’s return to Mexico; capture of Ciudad Juarez Madero’s return to Mexico; capture of Ciudad Juarez Becomes focal point for Revolution Becomes focal point for Revolution –A provincial capital –Official point of entry between US and Mexico –Morale boost Diaz negotiates treaty with revolutionaries on May 21, 1911; exiled to France Diaz negotiates treaty with revolutionaries on May 21, 1911; exiled to France Madero takes power, but underestimates the discontent that the majority of Mexicans felt about the social and economic situations they found themselves under. At this point, a major fragmentation of revolutionary goals emerge. Now what? Madero takes power, but underestimates the discontent that the majority of Mexicans felt about the social and economic situations they found themselves under. At this point, a major fragmentation of revolutionary goals emerge. Now what?

Victoriano Huerta

Venustiano Carranza and the Constitutionalist Army

Popular Support of the Revolution

Transitions to stability From revolution to anarchy ( ) From revolution to anarchy ( ) –US support of Carranza –Pancho Villa’s exploits and the Pershing expedition Stability at the Queretaro Convention (October, 1916) Stability at the Queretaro Convention (October, 1916) –Purpose is to write a new constitution; desire to end factionalization and come to some compromise –Led by Carranza –Some ideas carry over from the 19 th century –For most part, new constitution based on 20 th century liberalism –Articles 3, 27, and 123 A long term document; seals the Revolution as a permanent part of Mexican nationalism and development, and solidifies Carranza’s hold on power A long term document; seals the Revolution as a permanent part of Mexican nationalism and development, and solidifies Carranza’s hold on power

Carranza Presidency ( ) Generally considered a failure Generally considered a failure One shining light = estab. of a national labor organization = CROM  Confederacion Regional Obrera Mexicana, headed by Luis Morones One shining light = estab. of a national labor organization = CROM  Confederacion Regional Obrera Mexicana, headed by Luis Morones Overthrow of Carranza Overthrow of Carranza –Protests from the state of Sonora (Adolfo de la Huerta, Plutarco Calles, Alvaro Obregon  The Sonoran Triangle –Plan de Agua Prieta

The Obregon Presidency ( ) Signficance? Mexico’s social revolution, and the implementation of the Revolution, starts here Signficance? Mexico’s social revolution, and the implementation of the Revolution, starts here Agrarian Reform Agrarian Reform Labor Reform Labor Reform Education Education –“To educate is to redeem” –Jose Vasconcelos Introduction of the ideas of indigenismo Introduction of the ideas of indigenismo Never recognized by the US government Never recognized by the US government

Plutarco Calles and the Maximato New groups to consider via the Revolution New groups to consider via the Revolution –Organized labor (esp. in the North; major industrialized areas; tied to Article 123) –Peasants (esp. in the South and Central; tied to Article 27) –Business interests = difficult at time to control The power and “presidencies” of Calles  known as the Maximato The power and “presidencies” of Calles  known as the Maximato – = Calles – = Emilio Portes Gil – = Abelardo Rodriguez –Calles not president; but might of well had been Key to this period is a distinct shift to the right in terms of political ideology Key to this period is a distinct shift to the right in terms of political ideology

Themes of the Maximato Payoff for Social & Economic Reform  redistribution of land & more favorable conditions for workers Payoff for Social & Economic Reform  redistribution of land & more favorable conditions for workers Labor & the growth of CROM Labor & the growth of CROM Education Education US/Mexican relations  cautious warming US/Mexican relations  cautious warming Formation of the PRD  Ptd. Nacional Revolucionario; attempts to bring stability to politics Formation of the PRD  Ptd. Nacional Revolucionario; attempts to bring stability to politics War on Mexican Communists War on Mexican Communists

Problems with the Maximato? Shift to the right ideologically; away from some of the principles of the Revolution Shift to the right ideologically; away from some of the principles of the Revolution Responses? Responses? –To the left, towards socialism  “The Socialists ABC’s” –To the right, The Cristero Revolt –Existence of regional caciques counter Calles goals Global obstacles to the social revolution = The Great Depression Global obstacles to the social revolution = The Great Depression

Muralist Movement - Diego Rivera Emerges out of the Revolution; an artistic and political expression of a new Mexico and Mexican identity Emerges out of the Revolution; an artistic and political expression of a new Mexico and Mexican identity Embraces the Indian as a positive force in the formation of Mexican identity Embraces the Indian as a positive force in the formation of Mexican identity New emphasis on the indigenous side of the identity equation = indigenismo; through policies, art, culture, history New emphasis on the indigenous side of the identity equation = indigenismo; through policies, art, culture, history

Cardenas & Mexican Populism ( )

Background Born in 1895; Michoacan; educated through the 6 th grade Born in 1895; Michoacan; educated through the 6 th grade Experiences during the Revolution led him into politics Experiences during the Revolution led him into politics –Acting governor of Michoacan under Obregon –Governor under Calles ( ); road tests many policies he would bring to the national level Hand picked by Calles as candidate for president in 1934 Hand picked by Calles as candidate for president in 1934 Demonstrated his populist tendencies during the campaign; evoked principles of the Revolution Demonstrated his populist tendencies during the campaign; evoked principles of the Revolution

Cardenas and the Social Revolution Open lines of communication with the public Open lines of communication with the public Modest in his own public displays Modest in his own public displays Breaks from the Calles machine Breaks from the Calles machine Becomes president during a time of transition in the Revolutionary generations Becomes president during a time of transition in the Revolutionary generations Is the most successful of the post- Revolutionary presidents in institutionalizing the Revolution Is the most successful of the post- Revolutionary presidents in institutionalizing the Revolution

Agrarian Reform The first focus of his presidency The first focus of his presidency –“A Convention at Zacapu” Agrarian Reform (Article 27) Agrarian Reform (Article 27) –Returns close to 50 million acres –Agrarian reform – not just land reform –Reinforcing the ejido –“The Agrarian Reform at La Laguna”

Labor Reform Labor Reform (Article 123) Labor Reform (Article 123) –Developing sophistication of labor unions –CROM  CTM –Dealt with bread & butter issues, especially the wage structure Nationalization of Railways & Oil Nationalization of Railways & Oil –“The Oil Expropriation” as an example of nation building; significant support from other LA nations –Calls for intervention in the US –Question of value of compensation ($200M vs. $24M) –Creation of PEMEX

Political Reform Redefining Politics Redefining Politics PRN  PRM (Partido Revolucionario Mexicano; 1937) PRN  PRM (Partido Revolucionario Mexicano; 1937) Question of how to create political unity; examined in “Cardenas & The Masses” Question of how to create political unity; examined in “Cardenas & The Masses” Type of integration of different groups into national politics; defines Cardenas populist style, but is it really about true political integration or political control Type of integration of different groups into national politics; defines Cardenas populist style, but is it really about true political integration or political control –“Cardenas took care to guide the workers’ struggle toward purely economic rewards, and when they were integrated into the political process they remained subordinate to, and controlled by, the State, through the official party” (Arturo Anguiano) Formation of the CNC  Confederacion Nacional de Campesinos Formation of the CNC  Confederacion Nacional de Campesinos Formation of the CTM  Confederacion Trabajadores Mexicanos; led by Vicente Lombardo Formation of the CTM  Confederacion Trabajadores Mexicanos; led by Vicente Lombardo