Mexican Revolution
I.
Although Diaz, modernized Mexico, built railroad, opened new mines, and Mexico’s communication and
transportation systems, there were still many problems in Mexico.
A.
There was a big gap between the rich and the poor.
B.
Rural workers situation was made worse because of bad working conditions and low pay. As a result,
many working class children were forced to work instead of go to school.
C.
Workers displayed their frustration of their plight through violent strikes.
D.
Large landowners became even larger landowners. About 90% of all land in Mexico was owned by about
17 people.
E.
Relied heavily on import substitution or the foreign development of natural resources. Diaz did not
develop local industries and this eventually led to economic unrest.
II.
Liberal critics of Diaz.
A.
Wistano Luis Orozco
1.
Had social reasons concerns not political ones.
2.
Believed that Diaz land laws were unjust, and the companies that profited from these land laws
corrupt.
3.
Believed that government should break up these land holding companies and sell their holdings.
4.
Believed the government should do the same to the hacendados.
B.
Camilo Arriaga
1.
Disagreed with Diaz because of his relationship with the Catholic Church.
2.
Gathered together all of the local club at a meeting at San Luis Potosí.
3.
These malcontents devised some resolutions that were both narrowly conceived and primarily
anti-clerical.
C.
Jesús, Ricardo, and Enrique Magón
1.
Published the Regeneración.
2.
This magazine championed the Liberal cause and decried the excesses of Porfirismo.
3.
Eventually were arrested and spent a year in prison.
4.
Escaped to the US.
III.
The Liberal Plan
A.
Announced in the summer of 1906.
B.
Called for freedom of speech, freedom of the press, suppression of the jefes politicos, the complete
secularization of education, and the nationalization of all church property.
C.
Also, demanded more social reforms as well that showed a new brand of liberalism was developing.
D.
It asked for the abolition of the death penalty (except for treason), educational reform in favor of the poor,
and prison reform emphasizing rehabilitation rather than punishment.
E.
Included some very revolutionary concepts as well.
F.
It also asked for an 8 hour work day, a 6 hour work week, the abolition of the tienda de raya, the payment
of all workers in legal tender, and the prohibition of child labor.
G.
It also included land reform in which all uncultivated lands were to be taken over by the state and
redistributed to those who would work them.
H.
It also protected the small farmer by demanding that the small farmer take advantage of the new law, an
agricultural bank would be established to provide low-interest loans.
I.
Finally, it called for a return of all ejido lands seized illegally from the Indian communities.
IV.
Importance of the Liberal Plan
A.
It was the first time in Mexican history an articulate and organized minority had displayed genuine concern
for the plight of the masses.
B.
Applied the lessons of Karl Marx, Louis Blane, and Mikhail Bakunin to the reality of Mexico, as the liberal
exile leaders understood it.
V.
“Election” of 1910
A.
Diaz announced he would not “run” for re-election in 1910.
B.
Many Liberal Reformers stepped up to the plate, but the for runner was Francisco I. Madero.
C.
Madero was thrown in jail days before the election.
D.
Diaz was announced the “winner.”
E.
Given a very extravagant party that cost more the annual education budget.
VI.
Plan de San Luis Potosí
A.
After escaping to the US, Madero wrote this plan.
B.
In this plan, he denounces the election of 1910 as illegal and announces himself as the exiled
provisional leader.
C.
He also calls on the people of Mexico to join up in revolt against Diaz.
D.
This begins the revolutionary phase.
E.
Madero recognizes Mexico’s problems as political. He is not really a social reformer although he
sympathizes with the workers.
VII.
The Mexican Revolution in short. . . .
A.
Madero launches the military revolution with the Plan de San Luis Potosí.
B.
Madero becomes the leader of Mexico and attempts to establish a democracy. It fails because he
does not bring about land reform. Huerta, the Constitutionalists, and Zapata fight against Madero.
Huerta betrays Madero, and Madero is murdered will trying to “escape.”
C.
Huerta assumes control of Mexico. The Constitutionalists, Zapatistas, and Poncho Villa fight
against him.
D.
Huerta is disposed of power and Carranza takes control of Mexico. He is still fighting Zapatistas
and Poncho Villa.
E.
Obregón overthrows Carranza, and Obregón brings order and stability to Mexico.
F.
He is replaced with Plutarco Elías Calles.
G.
After ten years, Calles is replaced by Lázaro Cárdenas.
VIII.
Constitution of 1917
A.
Limited the power of the church by making marriage a civil ceremony, religious organizations
would no special legal status, public worship outside the confines of a church, state legislatures
could determine the number of priests within a state, all priests in Mexico had to be native born
Mexicans, clergyman could not form political parties, and priests had to register with civil
authorities.
B.
Article 3 which states that all education would be free, compulsory, and secular.
C.
Article 27 which states that all land illegally seized from the peasantry during the Porfiriato be
restored and provision be made for those communities that could not prove legal title. This article
also declared ownership of private property was a privilege not a right. It also designated the
government as the original owners of all land, water, and subsoil. Thus, the government could
take over land due to eminent domain with compensation to the owner. Much of the ejido lands
were returned to various communities. If communities needed more land, they could confiscate
land from surrounding haciendas.
D.
Article 123 gave workers an 8 hour work day and a 6 day work week. It also provided for equal
pay for equal work regardless of national origin and gender. It also established a minimum wage
and the right for workers to unionize. Unions could legally collectively bargain with management.
E.
This Constitution blended many of the Liberal revolutionary plans.