The Mexican RevolutionThe Mexican Revolution

Spodek, chapter on “Latin Spodek, chapter on “Latin America: 1870-2000”America: 1870-2000”

Mexico is in political and Mexico is in political and economic chaos after economic chaos after independenceindependenceRace/Class Structure Race/Class Structure RemainsRemains– CreolesCreoles– MestizosMestizos– IndiansIndians– AfricansAfricans

Iturbede ousted in 1824 Iturbede ousted in 1824 and Mexico becomes a and Mexico becomes a republicrepublicSanta Anna is the most Santa Anna is the most dominant political leader.dominant political leader.

Mexican-American WarMexican-American WarAmericans proclaim Americans proclaim independence of Texas—independence of Texas—March 2, 1836March 2, 1836French try to take Mexico French try to take Mexico in 1838.in 1838.Mexican-American War Mexican-American War (1846-1848)(1846-1848)– Mexico defeated.Mexico defeated.– Treaty of Guadeloupe Treaty of Guadeloupe

Hidalgo on February 2, Hidalgo on February 2, 1848.1848.

California, Texas, Arizona California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico to US.and New Mexico to US.US pays Mexico US pays Mexico $15,000,000$15,000,000Property owners assured Property owners assured can keep propertycan keep property

Mexico continuedMexico continuedBenito Juarez is Benito Juarez is elected president elected president in 1858.in 1858.He confiscated He confiscated Church property.Church property.Mexico suspends Mexico suspends payment of foreign payment of foreign debt in 1861.debt in 1861.– France, Great France, Great

Britain, and Spain Britain, and Spain protest.protest.

French occupy MexicoFrench occupy MexicoThe French occupy Mexico The French occupy Mexico in 1861 and capture in 1861 and capture Mexico City in 1863.Mexico City in 1863.Louis Napoleon makes Louis Napoleon makes Archduke Maximillian Archduke Maximillian Emperor (April 10, 1864)Emperor (April 10, 1864)– Maximillian was Austrian Maximillian was Austrian

and never understood and never understood MexicoMexico

– There were many revoltsThere were many revolts– Maximillian is captured Maximillian is captured

and executed with the rest and executed with the rest of his family.of his family.

– Juarez is restored.Juarez is restored.

Profirio DiazProfirio DiazOrder and progress Order and progress

Stability to Stability to industrializeindustrialize

Develops industry with Develops industry with foreign capitalforeign capital

Develops railroads Develops railroads with foreign capitalwith foreign capital

Oil IndustryOil Industry– Standard OilStandard Oil– British PetroleumBritish Petroleum

The PorfiriatoThe Porfiriato

Foreign/Mexican owners Foreign/Mexican owners discriminated against Mexican discriminated against Mexican Workers and Mexican Middle ClassWorkers and Mexican Middle Class

Did nothing for poorest MestizosDid nothing for poorest Mestizos

Neglected EducationNeglected Education

Confiscated ejidos (common land)Confiscated ejidos (common land)

The Mexican RevolutionThe Mexican Revolution

By 1910 – large portions of Mexican By 1910 – large portions of Mexican society fed up with Diazsociety fed up with Diaz

Political and social turmoil resultedPolitical and social turmoil resulted

May 25, 1911 Diaz overthrownMay 25, 1911 Diaz overthrown

Nov. 6, 1911 Francisco Madero, Nov. 6, 1911 Francisco Madero, leader of the revolt becomes leader of the revolt becomes PresidentPresident

Madero, Zapata, and VillaMadero, Zapata, and Villa

Other Threads of RevolutionOther Threads of Revolution

Emiliano Zapata – organized Emiliano Zapata – organized peasants from southern Mexicopeasants from southern Mexico

Francisco “Pancho” Villa organized Francisco “Pancho” Villa organized peasants from northern Mexicopeasants from northern Mexico– Understood new technology—machine Understood new technology—machine

gunsguns– Understood role of media better than Understood role of media better than

mostmost

Huerta/the Huerta/the US/CarranzaUS/Carranza

Victoriano Huerta leads Victoriano Huerta leads Mexico starting in February Mexico starting in February 18, 1913—overthrows 18, 1913—overthrows MaderoMaderoUS Intervenes for Standard US Intervenes for Standard Oil in April 21, 1914Oil in April 21, 1914– Navy in Vera CruzNavy in Vera Cruz– US Backs Venustiano US Backs Venustiano

CarranzaCarranza– Carranza becomes Carranza becomes

President in July 15, 1914.President in July 15, 1914.– Huerta is out of power and Huerta is out of power and

the US leaves but the the US leaves but the chaos continueschaos continues

Villa and the Villa and the United United StatesStates

Villa, the U.S. and the Mexican Villa, the U.S. and the Mexican ConstitutionConstitution

Villa raids New Mexico Villa raids New Mexico Farm on March 9, Farm on March 9, 1916.1916.U.S. sends John J. U.S. sends John J. Pershing and the US Pershing and the US Army to MexicoArmy to MexicoUS Fails and gives up US Fails and gives up on February 5, 1917on February 5, 1917This background This background impacts the reaction impacts the reaction to the Zimmerman to the Zimmerman TelegramTelegram

Mexican Constitution Mexican Constitution was ratified on was ratified on January 31, 1917.January 31, 1917.– Universal suffrageUniversal suffrage– Restrictions on Foreign Restrictions on Foreign

OwnershipOwnership– 8 hour day8 hour day– Minimum wageMinimum wage– Agrarian reformAgrarian reform

Zapata and Villa and the end of Zapata and Villa and the end of RevolutionRevolution

Zapata is tricked Zapata is tricked and executed in and executed in 1917 and that 1917 and that ended the ended the revolution in the revolution in the south of Mexicosouth of MexicoCarranza cuts a Carranza cuts a deal with Pancho deal with Pancho Villa and later Villa Villa and later Villa is assassinated in is assassinated in 1923/1923/

General Lazaro Cardenas, US and General Lazaro Cardenas, US and BritainBritain

General Lazaro Cardenas, US and General Lazaro Cardenas, US and BritainBritain

General Lazaro Cardenas Completes General Lazaro Cardenas Completes the Revolution after 1934 when he the Revolution after 1934 when he nationalized oil on March 18, 1938.nationalized oil on March 18, 1938.– The US and the British protestThe US and the British protest

Mexico and the US come closer Mexico and the US come closer together after Mexico declares war together after Mexico declares war on Germany and Japanon Germany and Japan

Who benefits and who gains little?Who benefits and who gains little?Mexican middle classMexican middle class

Some Mexican Some Mexican workersworkers

Indian culture (Diego Indian culture (Diego Rivera)Rivera)

PRI—the PRI—the Institutionalized Institutionalized Revolutionary partyRevolutionary party– Picks Mexican leadersPicks Mexican leaders– Little Real DemocracyLittle Real Democracy

Poorest Mexican Poorest Mexican Agricultural WorkersAgricultural Workers– Poorly paidPoorly paid– IlliteracyIlliteracy