Topic 17: The World Between the Wars (1910-1939)

Section 1: Revolution and Nationalism in Latin America

Revolution and Nationalism in Latin America By 1910: Dictator Porfirio Diaz ruled Mexico for almost 35 years Mexico enjoyed peace and economic growth Diaz welcomed foreign investors who developed mines, built railroads, and drilled for oil

Porfirio Diaz Porfirio Diaz gained power from 1876 to 1880 & 1884 to 1911 he ruled as dictator strengthened the army, local police and central government in the name of “Order and Progress” Under harsh rule – economic advances Capital from investments came from foreign investors – granted special rights Rich prospered – majority in poverty Peonage System Middle class Mexicans demanded democracy 1910 – Mexico plunged into revolution

The Mexican Revolution Discontent rippled through Mexico Prosperity only benefitted a few Majority of Mexicans were mestizos who lived in desperate poverty Some peasants moved to cities- found jobs as factory or mine workers Middle class liberals opposed Diaz’s dictatorship Primary Causes of the revolution: North – Pancho Villa – fought for personal glory, but won many followers South Emiliano Zapata – Indian tenant farmer demanded land reform for peasants

Mexican Revolution 1910: Francisco Madero (liberal reformer) demanded free elections Imprisoned Diaz Revolutionaries from all over Mexico joined Madero's cause Diaz resigned in 1911

Complex Struggle Madero became president of Mexico but he was considered too liberal for conservatives 1913: Madero was murdered by one of his generals, Victoriano Huerta Huerta ruled as a military dictator- also faced rebellion Complex power struggle, several radical leaders emerged

Zapata and Villa Emiliano Zapata- led a peasant revolt Was an Indian peasant farmer; understood their miseries Wanted “land and freedom” Francisco “Pancho” Villa- rebel from the north Fought mostly for personal power but won the backing of peasants Villa and Zapata formed a coalition with Venustiano Carranza (Carranza wanted political reform)

A Complex Struggle Fighting flared across Mexico for a decade- killing as many as a million Mexicans Peasants, small farmers, ranchers, and urban workers were drawn to the violent struggle Soldaderas (women soldiers) cooked, tended to the wounded, and fought alongside men

The US and Mexico During the revolution, Woodrow Wilson sent troops to Mexico twice 1914: US forces helped overthrow Huerta 1916: tried to help the hunt of Pancho Villa After the overthrow of Huerta, Carranza turned on Villa and Zapata and defeated them 1917: Carranza was elected president of Mexico Signed a new constitution

Effects of the Mexican Revolution Bloodshed and death Constitution (1917) Addressed 3 major issues: land, religion, and labor Nationalization- government take over of natural resources Broke up large estates Limits foreign ownership of Mexican land Returns some Indian lands Gives government control of church land Sets minimum wage for workers Protects the right of workers to strike Gives all men the right to vote Grants women some new rights This constitution still is used today

Carranza 1920: rival revolutionaries arranged for his assassination

The Constitution of 1917 Strengthened government control of the economy Permitted the breakup of large estates Church land was made “property of the nation”

Effects of the Mexican Revolution 3. Social Reforms Schools and libraries were set up Helped some Indian communities regain lands Supported labor unions 4. Economic nationalism – emphasis on domestic control of the economy Determined to develop own economies and end economic dependence. After WWI trade fell off with Europe Great depression – no demand for LA goods – price of imports rose Local entrepreneurs set up factories Urged government to raise tariffs Other LA nations follow Mexico’s lead Limited success 5. Cultural Nationalism Pride in ones own culture – Murals on buildings – Diego Rivera

The PRI Takes Control 1929: government organized what became the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) Tried to appeal to many groups in Mexican society including: business and military leaders, peasants and workers Leaders backed social reform Boosted Mexican industry Brought stability to Mexico- carried out many desired reforms

Social and Economic Reforms 1920s and 1930s: government finally restored order and carried out reforms 1920s: government helped some Indian communities regain land that had been taken 1930s: President Lazaro Cardenas- decided to redistribute millions of acres of lands to peasants under a communal land program Government supported labor unions Tried to combat illiteracy

Nationalism Spreads in Latin America Issues facing Mexico were echoed in other Latin American nations Early 1900s: Latin America's economy boomed because of the exports Stable governments helped to keep Latin America’s economy going Military dictators or small groups of wealthy landowners held the real power Growing middle class and lower classes had no say in their own governments

Economic Nationalism Trade with Europe fell after World War I Great Depression spread Prices of Latin American exports plunged, demand dried up Cost of imported goods rose Latin American economies- dependent on export trade- declined

Economic Nationalism Economic nationalism- emphasis on home control of the economy Wanted to end economic dependence on the industrial powers- especially US and Britain Set up factories to produce goods at home Urged governments to raise tariffs, taxes on imports, to protect the new industries Mexico and Venezuela benefited from growing demand for their oil

Political Nationalism Great Depression: people lost faith in their rulers and ideas of liberal government Authoritarian governments with strong nationalist goals Authoritarian rulers imposed stability and supported economic nationalism- suppressed opposition to political parties

Cultural Nationalism 1920: Nationalism on the rise led to writers, artists, and thinkers to reject European influence Took pride in their own culture Mural paintings

The Good Neighbor Policy During the Mexican revolutions the US supported leaders who it thought would protect its investments In the 1930’s, Franklin Roosevelt abandoned the Roosevelt corollary Which had been used to justify American intervention US withdrew troops in Haiti and Nicaragua Lifted the Platt amendment in Cuba – Pro-American Sentiment