We explain everything about the Mexican revolution that began in 1910. Causes, consequences, and prominent figures of the revolution.
What was the Mexican Revolution?
The Mexican Revolution was a armed conflict that began in the Mexican nation in 1910 and culminated in 1920 and which is considered one of the most significant social and political events of the 20th century in Latin America and the West. It consisted of a set of armed insurrections opposed to successive governments that followed the fall of the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, known as the “Porfirato”, and that extended until the third decade of the 20th century, when a Mexican Constitution was proclaimed.
Initially the conflict faced troops loyal to the government of Porfirio Díaz against the insurrection led by Francisco Madero. The latter would win in 1910, through the so-called Plan of San Luis, advancing from San Antonio (Texas). However, when Madero himself was elected president in 1911, his disagreements began with other revolutionary leaders such as Pascual Orozco and Emiliano Zapata, who rose up against his former allies.
A group of soldiers, known as the “Tragic Ten” and led by Félix Díaz, Bernardo Reyes and Victoriano Huerta, took advantage of the moment to carry out a coup d'état, assassinate the president and vice president, and place Huerta in power. This in turn unleashed the rise of other revolutionary leaders such as Venustiano Carranza or Francisco “Pancho” Villa, who fought the Huerta government until 1912, when, far from achieving peace, a series of armed conflicts broke out between the various revolutionary factions. .
The Mexican Revolution came to an end thanks to the Aguascalientes Convention where Eulalio Gutiérrez was named president and the first steps towards peace were taken, although there would still be insurrections and internal combats that would lead to the establishment of democracy and the death of the revolutionary leaders: Zapata in 1919, Carranza in 1920, Villa in 1923 and Obregón in 1928.
See also: Cuban Revolution
Causes of the Mexican Revolution
- The porphyry crisis Colonel Porfirio Díaz had governed Mexico for 34 years, achieving economic expansion at the cost of the unrest of the poorest classes. This led to a social, political, economic and cultural crisis that, when Díaz himself announced that he would retire at the end of his term, unleashed armed struggle.
- The miserable rural situation Mexico had 80% of the rural population, but the laws and social and economic practices of the government favored large latifundistas and landowners. The peasantry and indigenous communities lived very poorly, stripped of land and with nothing to lose.
- Madero's campaigns Madero carried out three proselytizing campaigns against the dictator's re-election, for which he was accused of inciting rebellion and sentenced to prison. He was later released, but without the right to leave the country or participate in the elections, in which Colonel Díaz was re-elected, breaking his promise.
Consequences of the Mexican Revolution
- 3.4 million affected There are no exact figures for the number of deaths during the Mexican Revolution, but it is estimated between one million and two million people. In addition, there was widespread emigration to other countries, famine, falling birth rates, and a Spanish flu pandemic in 1918.
- New role of the State The Revolution allowed the disadvantaged classes to enter the State and occupy bureaucratic and administrative functions. The army, which supported the Revolution, recruited personnel from the middle and lower classes, growing by 50 or 60%; All of which meant an important change in the distribution of wealth and an important migration from the countryside to the cities.
- Agrarian reform One of the most significant changes of the time, it allowed farmers to own the land they worked. Even so, their quality of life did not improve much and many preferred abusive work on the plantations, where they were better paid.
- Artistic push Many Mexican authors and artists documented in their works what happened between 1910 and 1917, and all that effort would bear fruit in Mexican culture later. Authors like Mariano Azuela (with his novel Those belowfrom 1916), José Vasconcelos, Rafael M. Muñoz, José Rubén Romero, Martín Luis Guzmán and others would begin the “Revolutionary Novel”. Something similar happened with cinema, plastic arts and photography.
Characters of the Mexican Revolution
- Francisco “Pancho” Villa Revolutionary leader of the ranks of the north, nicknamed the “Centaur of the North”, considered a social hero in many popular bullfights of the time, as he robbed trains and landowners to give to the poorest.
- Francisco Madero One of those responsible for the start of the Revolution was a Mexican businessman and politician who fought hard against the Porphyry regime and, when he became president, was in turn overthrown by the revolutionaries.
- Emiliano Zapata Commanding the Liberation Army of the South, he was one of the most important military figures of the Mexican Revolution, a symbol of peasant resistance, known as the “Caudillo of the South.”
- Venustiano Carranza Mexican politician, military man and businessman, he was the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army after the assassination of Madero. He held power twice: 1914 and 1917.
Continue with: Porfiriato
