The Mexican Revolution 1910 -1920

Article by Michael Wright-Elliott. Edited by Amy Calladine. Additional Research by Jon Park.

This September, Mexican people celebrated the bicentenary of their independence. There were spectacular scenes in Mexico City, and many people joined in on the festivities. Although there are some great problems in the country today, a national identity exists thanks to the Mexican Revolution of 1910, and the great restructuring of society that took place in the proceeding years. The revolution was triggered by discontent towards Portafirio Díaz, a dictator who modernised the country at the expense of the Mexican people. However, the result of this call to arms led to a long struggle between factions, which helped to bring great advances for Mexican workers and Mexican society. As many historians argue that the Mexican revolution was a long process, which lasted up until 1940, this essay will look at the armed struggle between 1910 and 1920, which laid the foundations for a political system which was to last until 2000.

Before 1910, Mexico was a country on the rise. Porfirio Diaz was the leader for 34 years and led a modernisation of a country which had been stifled by military coups and war since its independence in 1810. Initially a populist leader, Diaz took over Mexico after years of political incompetence and corruption. Although he brought political stability to the country, he was a dictator who was able to silence opposition. Diaz tried to modernise Mexico, and was able to build railway networks and improve international commerce greatly, which saw vast increases in foreign capital. However, this was at the expense of the Mexican people, who considered themselves exploited, and were unable to own land whilst the profits from their natural resources were for foreign countries rather than the Mexicans. Overall, as the election of 1910 approached, the anger within Mexico was growing.

What started as a struggle between the dominant elite and young ambitious liberals, led to a full out attack on the Mexican infrastructure. Francisco Madero, a young well educated liberal decided to run in the elections of 1910 for the anti-Reelectionist party against Diaz; a decision that caused a great threat to the dictator, although he was able to rig the election as he had before. However, this time, Madero and his followers would not accept the defeat, and although imprisoned, he was able to call the country to arms against the President. The rebel movement was very popular and Diaz was forced to leave the country in May 1911, which led to new elections and a victory for Madero. However, although Madero believed that democracy would help the progress of Mexico, he was not seen as adequate, especially for the working class or peasants, who had helped defeat Diaz.

There are many people who are a part of Mexican legend due to the Revolution. Emiliano Zapata was the leader of a revolutionary peasant movement, which looked to regain lands confiscated under the Diaz regime. His name still lives through the Zapatista movement which exists today, which fights for southern working class rights. Whilst Zapata brought resistance from the south, Pancho Villa, a revolutionary general who was looking for improved working conditions and education, was the main threat in the north, who, along with his army, was trying to push for an agricultural reform against the large haciendas. At the same time, Villa was arguing for more education, and his aim was for all children to be able to read. For Madero and his followers, the political changes in Mexico were the most important. However, with great discontent from the peasants and working class, many saw a social revolution as a necessity, and leaders such as Zapata were redistributing land as they pleased.

After Madero, the proceeding years were rather chaotic due to the political violence and coups against leaders; some of which were reactionary, such as Victoriano Huerta who decided to give land back to the large haciendas, and others who were looking to improve the life of all Mexicans such as Lazaro Cardenas. By 1917, the government was able to contain the major threats to their power, such as Villa and the Zapatistas (the followers of Zapata), and under a conservative leader, Venustiano Carranza, Mexico was able to produce a very progressive constitution which would help to bring about social change.

The constitution, which is still used today, helped to give land to peasants, set a minimum wage for workers, shorter working hours and also government aid in times of unemployment, sickness and old age. It also helped Mexico to fight back against foreign exploitation, as they were able to acknowledge their own right to its natural sources, which would eventually lead to the creation of PEMEX (Mexican Oil Company) and the nationalisation of oil.

Between 1920 and 1940, the presidents were able to build on the work which had been done during the initial phase of the revolution. Education and literacy was greatly improved, with a lot more money being invested in the education system. Also due to the nationalisation of oil, and the improved workers rights, foreign investors began to obey the Mexican law. As a result of this progress, the economy improved, and the government were able to implement a phase of social works such as new roads replacing dirt tracks and electricity reaching small villages.

Although the country did not properly stabilise until 1940, the initial phase of the revolution, between 1910 and 1920, was able to provide a structure for the nation’s development. The revolution broke down many barriers in society, and helped to bring about great change in the country. Although the revolution would lead to a ‘one party democracy’, which was in power until the elections in 2000, it is fair to say that the life of the Mexican people improved greatly due to the fight for political and social change. Although the revolution did not bring about democracy as had been hoped by many, it brought about a country which was improving dramatically and was unrecognisable from the Mexico which Diaz ruled.

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The Road to Revolution (see www.mexicanhistory.org)

1810: Miguel Hidalgo declares Independence from Spain, starts Mexican War of Independence

1821: ‘Plan of Iguala’ cedes Independence to Mexico

1829: Spain changes its mind and tries to re-invade Mexico. Driven out by a combination of the Mexican army and yellow fever

1846: America invades and takes land from Mexico – the future states of California, New Mexico and Nevada.

1864: Napoleon III invades Mexico, installs Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico

1867: Maximilian executed, Republic restored

1876: Porfirio Diaz seizes control. Wins periodic elections through reported intimidation and ballot stuffing

1907: ‘Bankers Panic’ in America causes economic depression in Mexico

1910: Election. Diaz wins, but anger at the result and the perceived corruption surrounding it. Francisco Madero calls from his prison cell for an armed resistance.

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Life Expectancy in 1910: 30 years

Percentage of Population Homeless 1910: 16%

Lines of Rail in 1876 – 400 miles

Lines of Rail in 1910 – 15000 miles

Estimated fatalities during Revolution, 1910-1920: 1.5 million to 2 million

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“Modero had unleashed a tiger. Now let’s see if he can control it”

Porfirio Diaz, En route to exile, 1911

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