1. The Role of Foreign Powers in the Mexican Revolution 1910-1940
From Intervention to Good Neighbors

2. Overview Extent of U.S. and European economic influence before 1910
U.S. Diplomatic reaction to the Mexican Revolution
Latin American and U.S. Interventions
U.S. Response to Villa’s raid
Effects of the Zimmerman note on the Mexican Revolution
Causes of post constitutional economic tensions

3. What was the extent of U. S
What was the extent of U.S. and European economic influence before 1910?
Porifirio Diaz wanted Mexico to modernize and become a peer in the modern world.
Long standing government would provide the stability required to modernize
Encouraging foreign investment would speed up the process of economic and industrial modernization
If you were to generalize you would say influence was extensive

4. Railroads British and Americans
Foreign Investment
Railroads
Railroads are the basis for modernization and industrialization, first lines connected Mexico City to El Paso ,Texas.
By the end of the 1880’s lines connected Atlantic and Pacific Ports mostly controlled by foreign
British and Americans
Vast majority of these investments were held by British and American interests
Some contracts with Japan for agriculture and ceramic manufacturing

5. President Taft President Wilson Ambassador Wilson
What was the U.S. Diplomatic reaction to the Mexican Revolution ?
President Taft
Insisted that U.S. economic interests should be protected
President Wilson
Recalled Ambassador Wilson
Said Huerta’s government were butchers
Ambassador Wilson
Steeped in the Big Stick and Dollar Diplomacy
Did not support Madero or Mexico
Influential during the Ten Tragic Days

6. What were the U.S. Interventions in Latin America 1911-1914?
Huerta’s Coup
Varied reactions among Latin American countries
US did not support Huerta’s government
Resented European influence in Mexico

7. The Tampico Affair and Veracruz Occupation
Insignificant incident became motivation for US intervention
Wilson ordered US Marines to occupy customs house in Tampico, led ti fighting and deaths on both sides
Led to six month occupation and anti-American demonstrations in Mexico and Latin America

8. ABC Powers Conference and Pan-Americanism (1914)
Argentina, Brazil, and Chile met to mediate conflict between the US and Mexico
Concerns about drift toward war in Europe and arms sales by Latin American countries to all of the factions in Mexico
US left Veracruz and turned over to Carranza
Latin American countries assured of non-intervention by the USA
Became an inspiration for Pan-American cooperation

9. What was the U.S. Response to Villa’s raid?
1915
US recognizes Carranza government
No more arm sales or support of any other faction
Attack on Columbus, New Mexico
Jan 1916, one of Villa’s general attacked a train and killed seventeen Americans
Wilson ordered Americans out of Mexico
Villa went into the US and had a day long gun battle in Columbus, New Mexico

10. US Intervention Punitive expedition to capture or kill Villa
Wilson conscripted 150,000 border troops
Gen Pershing led expedition of 12,000from March 1916 until February 1917, couldn’t catch Villa
Carranza protested US intervention, officially asked US to recall them by April 1916.
Talks suspended in May 1916
Talks reconvened, US wanted to return and Mexico wanted withdrawl
Stalemate

11. Conflict Resolution Villa’s radicalization alienated his supporters
US troops needed in Europe
By December 1916, Constitution talks underway.
Carranza needed more openness in negotiations with the US.
Accepted concessions but no arms sales or loans

12. What was the effects of the Zimmerman note on the Mexican Revolution?
Before the First World War
Germany had important business and trade interests in Mexico
During the War
US sympathized with the allies
Germany encouraged US-Mexican hostlities
Hoped Mexican oilfields would be damaged, important to the British
Carranza resented Germans but saw them as an ally in US-Mexico conflict

13. The Zimmerman Note
Note intercepted by the British, implied that Germany would support Mexico if they attacked the US.
President Wilson used the Zimmerman Note as a way to influence declaration of war
Carranza insisted on Mexican neutrality and denied an alliance with Germany

14. What were the causes of post constitutional economic tensions
Foreign Investment
Article 27 about subsoil and Article 123 about labor caused concerns
Carranza hesitated to fully apply the laws
Not alienate US interests
Wanted US recognition
US wanted Mexican support of the allies in WW I
The USA was unable to get Carranza to abandon the Constitution or give up neutrality

15. Oil By 1921, Mexico generating 25% of world oil production
US share in Mexican oil increased from 38.5% in 1911 to 61% in 1921.
Bucarelli Agreement (1923)
US owned petroleum interests pressured President Harding to withhold US recognition until investments could be guaranteed
In 1938, Cardenas nationalized petroleum industry
President Roosevelt cut off imports of oil and silver
By end 0f 1939, Mexico was selling half its oil to the Axis

16. The Second World War Good Neighbor Policy(1933)
End of US interventions
Hemispheric security and co-operation crucial to allied war effort

17. What motivated foreign powers?
How did foreign powers, particularly the US, intervene in the Mexican Revolution?
What were the contributions of foreign powers to the Mexican Revolution?

18. Bibliography
Benson, Philip, and Yvonne Berlinner. Access to History for the IB Diploma: The Mexican Revolution Hodder Education An Hachette UK Company, 2014.