Chapter 7 Section 4: Wilson
and the Mexican Revolution
Main Idea: American intervention in
Mexico’s revolution caused strained
relations
Daily Bell Ringer Section 4
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In 1911 Francisco “Pancho” Villa helped drive Mexico’s
dictator out of power. To some, villa was a bandit and a
murderer, to others, a folk hero. In 1915, as Villa vied
for leadership of Mexico, President Woodrow Wilson
gave diplomatic recognition to his rival Venustiano
Carranza. In revenge, Villa and his men killed some
Americans in Mexico and crossed the border into New
Mexico killing more Americans. U.S. forcers entered
Mexico and chased Villa for the next year, but they
never caught him. By 1917, U.S. interest shifted to the
war in Europe and U.S. forces left Mexico. Villa retired
to his ranch. In 1923 he was ambushed and killed.
Review Questions
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What did Pancho Villa accomplish in
1911?
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Why did U.S. forces leave Mexico in 1917
before having caught Villa?
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From 1877 to 1910 Porforio Diaz ruled Mexico as a
dictator.
He established order, but was also harsh
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He jailed any opponent, outlawed freedom of the press,
used the army to enforce peace at any cost
He used American investment money to modernize
Mexico, build railroads, created factories etc.
Small group of people became wealthy, while most
people remained very poor
As a result, Mexicans became increasingly unhappy
under Diaz’s rule
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In 1910, Diaz was up for re-election
Diaz jailed his opponent (Francisco Madero),
controlled the outcome, and claimed victory
Madero was released from prison and fled to
the U.S., declared himself President of
Mexico and called for a revolution
The Mexican Revolution begins
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Series of uprisings in different parts of Mexico
Emiliano Zapato and the Zapatistas were a
group of Native American peasants who were
fighting to have their land returned
Fancisco Pancho Villa led a large scale revolt
in Northern Mexico
Rebellion spread and in 1911 Diaz fled to
France
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In 1911 Madero was elected President and
tried to establish a Democratic Government
Victoriano Huerta, the commander of the
military overthrows him and has him
executed, and declares himself president
4 separate armies organize to oust Huerta
Reading Focus Question #1
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How did the Diaz dictatorship spark a
revolution in Mexico?
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Limited civil rights, jailed his opponents, used the
army to maintain peace, there was widespread
poverty.
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President Woodrow Wilson refuses to recognize
Huerta as president, agrees to sell arms to Huerta’s
enemies
9 U.S. navy officers are arrested by Huerta when
they go ashore in Tampico for supplies. They are
released unharmed, but U.S. admiral demands a 21
gun salute…Mexico refuses
Because of the Tampico incident President Wilson
asks Congress to authorize the use of force against
Mexico, they authorize the use of force
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Meanwhile, Wilson learns that there is a ship
loaded with weapons headed to Tampico that
Huerto purchased from the Germans.
Wilson orders the U.S. navy to sieze the city
U.S. Marines land in Veracruz, which they
expected to take easily. The battle of
Veracruz results in 17 American and 300
Mexican deaths
U.S. occupies Mexico for 6 months on the
verge of war
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Full blown war is avoided because of
mediators from Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba.
He was directed to step down
Initially refused but eventually he fled to
Spain
Reading Focus Question #2
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How and Why did the United States intervene
in the Mexican Revolution?
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Sent troops and occupied Veracruz
did not recognize Huerta’s claim to presidency
Tampico incident
Germans were sending arms to Huerta
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Venustiano Carranza steps in and claims
presidency but faces opposition from Pancho
Villo and Emiliano Zapato
Wilson decides to support Carranza because
he doesn’t want Mexico split up between Villo
and Zapato
Villo responds by crossing into New Mexico
and burning a town and killing 17 Americans
This is the first armed invasion into the U.S.
since the War of 1812
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Wilson sends 10,000 troops to Mexico to
capture Villa
Mexicans are increasingly resentful of
American presence
In 1917 Wilson calls off the search for Villa
because of World War I
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In 1917 Carranzo calls a constitutional
convention to draft a new constitution
New Constitution incorporates the ideals of
all the rebel groups and grants civil liberties
and rights to citizens
Fighting continues in Mexico until 1920
Agriculture is destroyed, mines are
abandoned, factories are destroyed, the
economy suffers
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Many Mexicans begin immigrating to the U.S.
in search of better life, work and more
stability
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HqTFvCt
VgI
Reading Focus Question #3
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How did the Mexican Revolution Conclude?
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U.S. withdrew troops
New Mexican Constitution put into effect
Wilson supported Carranza as the new Mexican
President
Review Questions for Section 4
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How did Francisco Madero become Mexico’s
president?
Why Diaz imprison Madero
What started the Tampico incident?
Why did the United States think it was
justified in seizing Veracruz?
Who led the opposition to Carranza?
Why was the U.S. determined to find Pacho
Villa?
Pairs assignment:
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With a partner or group of 2-3
students create a flowchart that
shows the sequence of events in the
Mexican Revolution, from the
overthrow of Diaz to the constitution
of 1917. Use as many boxes as you
need!