Many farmers had no land. Many farmers were poor. Poor farmers experienced hunger, mistreatment, and exploitation. E. Napp

A few wealthy families owned most of Mexico’s land. E. Napp

To make matters worse, the Mexican government was headed by a dictator. E. Napp

Porfirio Diaz became dictator in 1876 Porfirio Diaz became dictator in 1876. He ordered the executions of opponents, favored the wealthy, and encouraged foreign investments. E. Napp

He did not, however, help the poor. E. Napp

Francisco Madero was a reformer. He advocated democracy and change. E. Napp

Madero called for an uprising on November 20, 1910 when Diaz would not allow free elections. E. Napp

But some people wanted more than democracy But some people wanted more than democracy. They wanted a redistribution of land. They wanted “tierra y libertad” or land and freedom. E. Napp

Emiliano Zapata encouraged small groups of peasant farmers to raid properties of large landowners. Emiliano Zapata wanted land redistribution. E. Napp

By 1910, small groups of poor farmers began raiding the properties of large landowners. E. Napp

Francisco “Pancho” Villa led revolutionaries in the northern part of Mexico while Zapata led an army in the south. E. Napp

By 1911, Madero was being harassed by the military and the wealthy but farmers who wanted land reform continued to fight. E. Napp

General Victoriano Huerta sided with the wealthy landowners and with the support of the army had Madero killed and took over the government in 1913. E. Napp

But with the help from U. S But with the help from U.S. President Wilson, the revolutionaries forced Huerta to resign in 1914. E. Napp

By 1917, a constitution for a new democratic government was drawn up By 1917, a constitution for a new democratic government was drawn up. In addition, the government took over large plantations and mines. E. Napp

Land was divided among the poor and a free public education plan was set up but large gaps between the rich and poor remained. E. Napp

The revolution had brought change but it had not changed everything. E. Napp