The Mexican Revolution: An Overview Essay

Mexico was building up to its revolution long before activists like Francisco Madero and Emiliano Zapata. From 1840 to 1910; Mexico went from a war-torn and newly freed nation to a nation on the brink of civil war. How did it get there? Through a series of wars, leaders, and policies, which proved causation politically, socially, and economically to the Mexican Revolution.

Another huge aspect of Mexican political culture is the Constitution of 1917. Many Mexicans attribute the origins of the political system in Mexico to the Revolution of 1910-1920 and it’s Constitution of 1917. Unlike their American neighbors, the people of Mexico focus and look to the past, not the future, to there missed dreams and hopes. Many people of Mexico support and have faith and pride in the Constitution of 1917, agree with the goals of the Revolution and support their political institutions. (McCormick p.333) The Constitution is seen more as an outline of the goals Mexico has aspired for. Their believe in the Constitution but recognize it as a work in progress as it still contains

Porfirio Diaz was the president of Mexico when the Revolution broke out. He was elected in 1877, and although he swore to step down in 1880, he continued to be reelected until 1910. He claimed that he was justified in this because he brought stability to Mexico. However, this was hardly the case. Diaz's regime aimed to industrialize Mexico, and foreign investors such as the United States and Britain

During the Mexican Revolution there were many prominent figures that emerged during the long struggle. Some of the figures had a positive impact on the region, and some others a very negative impact on the people of Mexico and their quest for an uncorrupted government. One figure that stands out in the border region between Mexico and The United States during this time is General Francisco “Pancho” Villa. To understand Pancho Villa’s significant role during this uprising it is important to understand who Villa was prior to the revolution, and what acts lead to his rise to power.

After the Mexican Revolution, which took place from 1910 - 1920, Mexican art saw a change in the type of art being created. Although the focus of creating art with an indigenous and Mexican theme continued, the country saw a shift to art presenting socialist ideals. The government saw value in working with local artist and commissioning them to create murals that would influence their political agendas. However, what these murals mostly did was strengthen the Mexican culture and bring pride to the indigenous heritage. Although this time period has come and gone, its influence over Mexican art and culture is still very apparent today and can even be seen in Mexican American communities today.

The Mexican Revolution began as a protest against the dictatorship and policies of Porfirio Díaz. He ran a 34 year dictatorship and his policies favored the wealthy families that monopolized economic and political power in Mexico. There were very few wealthy Mexicans and they were typically the politicians of cities, landowners, and foreign investors. Diaz suppressed the press and all the worker strikes that asked for better wages and better treatment. In the state of Veracruz, textile workers rioted in January 1907 at the huge Río Blanco factory which was at the time the largest in the world, protesting against their unfair

The 1800's was ridden with coups and revolution, but these were ultimately only the precursors towards the true Mexican Revolution which spanned the first quarter of the twentieth century. This revolution is perhaps one of the most important revolutions that has taken place in recent history because it was not a revolution led by factions battling for governmental control, or the bourgeoisie thinkers developing new ideas. Instead, it was a revolution led by simple men rising up and asserting their fundamental rights, and succeeding. The revolution was not only essential to the evolution of human rights and democracy and Mexico, but was also significant as it was one of the first successful third world revolutions. To an extent the revolution

     There was a huge revolution in the country of Mexico that started in the year 1910, led by Porfirio Diaz, the president of Mexico in 1910. In the 1860’s Diaz was important to Mexican politics and then was elected president in 1877. Diaz said that he would only be president for one year and then would resign, but after four years he was re-elected as the President of Mexico. Porfirio Diaz and the Mexican revolution had a huge impact on the country of Mexico that is still felt in some places today.

Although Miguel Hidalgo would be discontent in knowing that there is still corruption in the Mexican government, he would feel satisfied in knowing that the people of Mexico are working together to fight the problems left behind by the earthquake and to protest against and punish government officials who abuse their power. Today, Mexico is becoming less corrupt because the people who abuse their power being punished for their crimes and the corruption rank is decreasing. The 2000 election was beneficial as it turned Mexico's one-party rule over and started the journey to a successful democracy. Democracy still exists in Mexico and the power is in the people's hand. Not one person has absolute power.

my first piece of evidence contrast slideshow created by Jaden Jones. some of evidence are “ diaz wanted to change the Constitution”(jones), created a government to support upper class people, and he make the rich more rich and the poor became more poor. this evidence shows how corrupt was

The years from 1880 until The Mexican Revolution of 1910 contained issues that had an enormous effect on the border region. Diaz’s plan to establish “order” meant “political centralization”. (Ganster/Lorey 54) Diaz would offer a certain amount of freedom to settlers in return for preventing confrontations with “nomadic indigenous groups”. (Ganster/Lorey 54) Eventually, Diaz took away its citizens right to elect government officials and began to appoint them himself. (Ganster/Lorey 54) Soon after conflicts between communities and property owners, local citizens and politicians began to develop and in time “conflict over power centered on resources, the fencing off of woods and prairies became the focus of the struggle”. (Ganster/Lorey 55) Diaz’s plan to institute “progress” meant “the rapid commercialization of agrarian and extractive activities”. (Ganster/Lorey 55) Land was a major contribution to the Mexican Revolution. In 1905 a new law was passed, under Enrique Creel administration, stating that all community

Porfirio Diaz, a mestizo general, ruled the country in the late 19th century and early 20th century. (Moreno, 2003) Under Diaz’s rule the Economy improved greatly with railroads, mines and oil wells being developed, expanding manufacturing factories. Industrial wages were low, crushing any attempts for labor unions. In addition, many Mexican citizens were kept ignorant and in poverty, leaving only the big landowners to be successful. The government was able to do so by allowing only the upper class to afford school expenses. As a result, the affluent landowners were the only ones who continued increasing their wealth, allowing them to live comfortable lives.

Mexico suffered ten years of war, suffering, and turmoil. Mexican leaders during 1910-1920 were unable to hold the country together and a revolution consumed the nation. The Mexican people grew tired of political greed, lack of support, and unequal treatment. Several leaders such as President Diaz would prove to be a man of one interest, himself. Others would quickly rise against him and attempt to claim the presidency. General Huerta and Francisco

The Reform War was a civil war between the Mexican people, the conservatives vs. the liberals.  With the unhappy reaction of the liberals chaos broke out and Comonfort resigned and Benito Juarez became president. “Comonfort died in an ambush in 1863”(Biography in context) With Juarez President the Reform War ended. The liberals considered this a political victory over the conservatives, having one of their own in office. “Juarez would free Mexico from the most flagrant remnants of neocolonialism.”(Scholes) After the Liberals defeated the conservatives, President Juarez had more to worry about. Some European countries were very upset with Mexico and their unpaid debt with them. They sent troops to Mexico but, they all withdrew themselves when they saw that French dictator Napoleon was planning to overthrow Juarez’s government. The overthrow of the Juarez government started the French Intervention in Mexico in 1862. With the help of the United states Juarez managed to gain back control, he became a hero in the eyes of most liberal Mexican’s for not backing down and running out the French.

The results of the Mexican Revolution created a huge disparity between the corrupt politicians and businesspeople and the lower economical class. Opportunities for a major portion of the population were few, and poverty forced them "to leave their places of origin," says Somoza, "and set themselves up elsewhere." They leave their rural homes behind to search for work in the cities. Unfortunately, there are few jobs to be found in their own country. And thus begins the great emigration from their homeland.