The mexican revolution

The Mexican Revolution (Spanish: Revolución mexicana) was a major armed struggle that started in 1910 with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution changed from a revolt against the established order to a multi-sided civilwar. After prolonged struggles, its representatives produced the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The Revolution is generally considered to have lasted until 1920, although the country continued to have sporadic, but comparatively minor, outbreaks of warfare well into the 1920s. The Cristero War was the most significant relapse of bloodshed. The Revolution triggered the creation of the NationalRevolutionary Party in 1929 (renamed the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, in 1946). Under a variety of leaders, the PRI held power until the general election of 2000.
Contents[hide] * 1 Porfirio Díaz's rule (1876–1910) * 2 Francisco I. Madero's presidency (1911–1913) * 3 Victoriano Huerta's reign (1913–1914) * 3.1 Legacy * 4 Pancho Villa (active 1911–1920) * 5 VenustianoCarranza (1914–1920) * 6 Emiliano Zapata (active 1910–1919) * 6.1 "Zapatistas" * 6.1.1 Zapatista women * 7 Agrarian land reform * 8 Women in the revolution * 9 United States' involvement * 10 The Catholic Church during the revolution * 11 Youth movement * 12 End of the revolution * 13 See also * 14 Notes * 15 Bibliography * 15.1 General * 15.2 Online *16 External links |
[edit] Porfirio Díaz's rule (1876–1910)
Main article: Porfirio Díaz

General Porfirio Díaz
After Benito Juárez’s death in 1872, Porfirio Díaz wanted to take over as Mexico’s leader. As allies the two men had fought against the French in the Battle of Puebla, but once Juárez rose to power Díaz tried to unseat him. Díaz began his reign as president in 1876, and ruled until1910 when Francisco I. Madero succeeded him, taking office in 1911. Díaz’s regime is remembered for the advances he brought in industry and modernization, at the expense of human rights and liberal reforms. He worked to reduce the power of the Roman Catholic Church and expropriated some of their large property holdings.
Porfirio Díaz’s government from 1876–1910 has become known as the Porfiriato.Díaz had a strict “No Re-election” policy in which presidents could not serve consecutive terms in office. He followed this rule when he stepped down (1880) after his first term and was succeeded by Manuel González, one of his underlings. The new president’s period in office was marked by political corruption and official incompetence. When Díaz ran in the next election (1884), he was a welcomereplacement. In future elections Díaz would conveniently put aside his "No Re-election" slogan and run for president in every election.
Díaz became the dictator he had warned the people against. Through the army, the Rurales, and gangs of thugs, Diaz frightened people into voting for him. When bullying citizens into voting for him failed, he simply rigged the votes in his favor.[1] Díaz knew he wasviolating the constitution by using force to stay in office. He justified his acts by claiming that Mexico was not yet ready to govern itself;[citation needed] only he knew what was best for his country and he enforced his belief with a strong hand. "Order followed by Progress" were the watchwords of his rule.[citation needed]

"Manifestación antireeleccionista" by José Guadalupe Posada
WhileDíaz’s presidency was characterized by promotion of industry and the pacification of the country, it came at the expense of the working class, farmers, and peasants, who suffered extreme exploitation. The economy took a great leap during the Porfiriato, especially through the encouragement of construction such as factories, roads, dams, industries and better farms. This resulted in the rise of...