Mexican Revolution

The Mexican Revolution, which was from 1910 through 1920, was a pivotal event that redefined Mexico in social, economic, and political structures. From the autocratic ruler Portfirio Diaz, the revolution began due to Francisco Madero's call for a democratic reform. Over the next decade, Mexico witnessed intense struggles and conflicts trying to achieve their end goal such as land reforms, labor rights, and constitutional governance. The revolution constructed the 1917 Constitution which allowed Mexico to shift towards stability and profound change for society.

On November 20th, 1910 the revolution began. Francisco Madero ran against Portfirio Diaz, with the intention of reforming Mexico. In The Mexican Revolution and the United States in the Collections of the Library of Congress, The Rise of Francisco Madero, Madero 'wanted voting to mean something, and for people to be able to express themselves freely'. His campaign spread all throughout Mexico allowing citizens to see his courage for running against Diaz. Once Diaz heard about Madero running for president he arrested Madero and declared himself the winner of the election. Thus, when Madero got out of prison he wanted a revolt.

After Madero got out of prison, he formed the Anti-Reelectionist Party where Pascual Orozco and Francisco "Pancho" Villa joined. On May 25, 1911 Diaz and vice-president, Ramon Corral, resigned from the Presidency, declaring Madero president. Mexico was ecstatic as they were promised to see a change. In the section The Presidency of Madero to his Assassination it stated 'But, by the time Madero had taken possession of the Presidential chair on 6 November, 1911, much of his governing and fighting coalition had disintegrated'. This was due to Madero not appointing Orozco as cabinet, along with him leaving Francisco Vazquez Gomez, his first Vice President, for Jose Maria Pino Suarez. Orozco and Emilio Vazquez Gomez, who was Francisco’s brother, would both rebel against him.

Shortly after Madero was sworn into office, Zapata and his followers revolted against Madero and issued the Plan of Ayala. This plan "focused primarily on land reform stipulating that its usurpers would return their land to its rightful owners. Anyone who owned property could argue in an agrarian court once the revolt was victorious. Finally, one-third of all lands would be given back to the villages and people of Mexico for their own use" (The Presidency of Madero to his Assassination). This plan got the support from about 5 states within Mexico causing the army to be unable to defeat this movement which threatened Madero's presidential standing.

On February 13, 1913 Victoriano Huerta became president. "Huerta assumed the presidency the following day, after arresting Madero and his vice president, José María Pino Suárez, both of whom were shot a few days later, presumably on Huerta’s orders, while being transferred from one prison to another" (Mexican Revolution, 2024). Many people were unsupportive of Huerta's presidency thus creating a movement to restore constitutional government with an elected president were launched in three states. Venustiano Carranza created Plan de Guadalupe called for Huerta’s resignation. In 1914, Huerta resigns and went into exile after continued defeats by revolutionary forces. Carranza emerges as the leader of the Constitutionalist government which results in an intense out bringing with Villa, which resulted in Eulalio Gutiérrez being elected as interim president.

In April 1915, the Battle of Celaya broke out which was one of the bloodiest and biggest battles in Mexicos history. This battle was between Alvaro Obregon and Pancho Villa. Obregon defeats Villa, cementing Carranza’s control over much of Mexico.

On February 5, 1917 Carranza wrote the Constitution of 1917 which 'conferred dictatorial powers on the president but gave the government the right to confiscate land from wealthy landowners, guaranteed workers’ rights, and limited the rights of the Roman Catholic Church' (Mexican Revolution, 2024). This constitution was a start to the reformation of Mexico allowing them to see a change within their country. The constitution which has been used in Mexico for over 100 years has 137 articles which defines citizenship, government organization, mandate land reform, and human rights for all Mexicans. This document reflects how the Mexican revolution was and the deep long last affect it had on Mexico.

In 1919 Carranza was still in power and didn't have anyone who opposed him, such as Zapata. Zapata got assassinated under Carranza's orders which consolidated his power but alienated many peasants. In 1920, Carranza tried to break up a railroad strike in Sonora thus leading all his supporters to abandon him including Obregon. As Carranza tried to flee he was killed causing Obregon to become president during election in November. After the revolution ended, there were still long lasting effects such as economic decline causing agriculture production declined and food price increasing. During the revolution women were able to join the revolutionary armies , but then they were ignored after it ended. Women did not get voting rights until 1953.

Although the Revolution ended in 1920, violence still continued throughout Mexico until 1934 when reformist Lazaro Cardenas became president.

In conclusion, the Mexican Revolution was a transformative decade that reshaped Mexico's trajectory, ending the long-standing presidency of Diaz and paving the way for a new constitutional framework. The revolution's timeline reflects a complex interplay of ideological conflicts, personal ambitions, and struggles for social justice, specifically in the realms of land redistribution and labor rights. While the 1917 Constitution laid the groundwork for significant reforms, the revolution’s outcomes were uneven which left unresolved tensions that influenced Mexico’s political and social landscape for decades. Ultimately, the revolution stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring pursuit of equity and representation in Mexican society.