The Mexican Revolution began in 1910 as a rebellion against President Porfina Diaz’s dictatorial government and the control of plantation owners. It escalated into a civil war with multiple factions, including socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarian movements. The revolution ended in 1920, but there was still unrest until the 1920s. The main revolutionary groups were led by Emiliano Zapata, Francisco “Pancho” Villa, and Pascual Orozco. The revolution saw multiple leaders rise and fall from power, with Diaz being ousted by provisional president General Victoriano Huerta. Ultimately, Álvaro Obregón won elections in 1920, ending most of the revolutionary violence.
The Mexican Revolution began as a rebellion against the established order and escalated into a civil war with several warring factions including socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist and agrarian movements. The Mexican Revolution mostly ended in 1920, although there was still unrest well into the 1920s, a significant one being the Cristero War of 1926-1929. There are some historians who mark the end of the war as 1917, while others believe it ended as it did until 1940.
The Mexican Revolution took place mainly between 1910 and 1920. There were several reasons for the revolution, but discontent with the dictatorial government of President Porfina Diaz and working class anger at the control of the plantation owners are the two reasons most attributed to the beginning of the conflict. Men, women, and children of all classes joined the Mexican Revolution, which over the course of several battles saw multiple leaders rise and fall from power.
President Diaz had a good start as president. He has lowered crime, stabilized the government and financed various civic projects by raising funds from foreign film productions. Diaz made those in power richer, but the lower classes did not share the riches. Furthermore, all classes began to distrust Mexico’s dependence on foreign investment. There was also a new generation of aspiring politicians who found it difficult to break into government because of Diaz’s control over the system.
In 1908, Diaz stated in an interview that he looked forward to retirement and would welcome the election. Known as the Creelman interview, this article created a stir in Mexico. Encouraged by Diaz’s statement, Francisco I. Madero began gathering followers with the intention of running for office in 1910.
When Diaz learned of Madero’s growing power, he was intimidated, made a false accusation, and had him arrested. Diaz was re-elected. When Madero was released, he went to Texas, where he claimed the election was rigged. He wrote a document entitled The Plan of San Luis Potosí which called for revolt. Madero’s writings led to the official start of the Mexican Revolution on November 20, 1910.
Another major cause of the Mexican Revolution was the growing anger of the working class at the control that plantation owners held over the land. With the powerful milling machines that arose during the Industrial Revolution, plantation owners were able to increase production and make more money, which they used to purchase land. Eventually, the plantation owners became more aggressive and began blackmailing and harassing landowners for their properties. The plantation owners soon controlled nearly all viable land in Mexico. The only options available to the working classes were either to become servants to the plantation owners or to turn to crime to make a living.
The Mexican Revolution revolved around three main revolutionary groups, led by Emiliano Zapata, Francisco “Pancho” Villa and Pascual Orozco. From 1911 until the end of the revolution, these three men won and lost cities and power in a constant battle for control of Mexico. They ousted Diaz from office, but he left behind a formidable army under the control of provisional president General Victoriano Huerta.
Zapata entered into an alliance with Madero. His support led to Madero being declared president, but he proved to be an impotent leader. He was arrested and finally killed on February 22, 1913 on charges of attempting to escape his captivity. Huerta once again claimed the presidency, but was ousted from power by revolutionary Venustantio Carranza in 1914. Villa fought this nomination and eventually installed Eulalio Guitierrez as president. In 1919, one of Carranza’s generals tricked Zapata into a meeting in which he was shot and killed. Carranza was reinstated as president.
Zapata’s death caused an uprising against Carrenza and he was killed when he attempted to flee Mexico. Huerta was temporarily reinstated as president and elections were held. Álvaro Obregón won elections in 1920 and this ended most of the revolutionary violence.
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