Name: _______________________
Date: ______________ Period:_____
Chapter 12.4: The Mexican Revolution
Santa Anna and the Mexican War
 Santa Anna played a leading role in Mexico’s fight for independence from
Spain in 1821.
 In 1833, Santa Anna became Mexico’s President.
The Texas Revolt
 In the 1820’s, Mexico encouraged American citizens to move to the
Mexican territory of Texas to help populate the country.
 As the Anglo population grew, tensions developed between the colonists
and Mexico over several issues, including slavery and religion.
 Santa Anna won the Battle of the Alamo, but Sam Houston won the Battle
of San Jacinto.
War and the Fall of Santa Anna




In 1845, the United States annexed Texas.
The United States invaded Mexico
In 1848, the two nations signed the Treaty of Guadalupe- Hidalgo.
The United States received the northern third of what was then Mexico,
including California and the American Southwest.
Juarez and La Reforma
 Benito Juarez was a liberal reformer, who grew up as a poor, orphaned
Zapotec Indian.
Benito Juarez Rises to Power
 Juarez was raised on a small farm in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
 Juarez started going to school at age 15, and eventually became a lawyer
and served as governor of the state of Oaxaca in 1847.
Juarez Works for Reform
 Redistribution of land, separation of church and state, and increased
educational opportunities were among the goals of La Reforma.
 1853, Juarez was sent into exile by Santa Anna.
The French Invade Mexico
 Conservative rebels fought against the liberal government.
 Juarez was officially elected president in 1861.
 Exiled conservatives plotted with some Europeans to reconquer Mexico.
 In 1862 France, led by Napoleon III, sent a large army to Mexico.
 France took over the country and Austrian archduke, Maximilian was
appointed Emperor of Mexico
 Juarez and other Mexicans fought against French rule.
 French withdrew in 1867 and Juarez was reelected President.
Porfirio Diaz and “Order and Progress”
 In the mid-1870’s, the new caudillo, Porfirio Diaz came to power with the
support of the military.
 Diaz offered land, power, or political favors to anyone who supported him.
 His official slogan was Order and Progress.
 The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.
Revolution and Civil War
 In the early 1900’s, Mexicans from many walks of life began to protest
Diaz’s harsh rule.
Madero Begins the Revolution
 Francisco Madero was educated in the United States and France.
 Madero was arrested and called for an armed revolution against Diaz.
 Francisco “Pancho” Villa was an immensely popular leader who took
money from the rich and gave it to the poor in the North.
 Emiliano Zapata worked in the South and wanted land returned to
peasants and small farmers.
 By Spring of 1911, Diaz agreed to step down and called for new elections.
Mexican Leaders Struggle for Power
 Francisco Madero was elected President in November 1911, but soon
resigned and was murdered.
 General Victoriano Huerta then took over, but was unpopular and
overthrown after 15 months.
 Venustiano Carranza took over the government and then turned on Villa
and Zapata…luring Zapata into a trap and murdering him.
The New Mexican Constitution

 New Constitution was adopted in 1917.
 Promoted education, land reforms, and worker’s rights.
 In 1920, Carranza was overthrown by his former general, Alvaro Obregon.
Public education was supported.