The human being is a gregarious and social being, which throughout history has generated different ways of grouping and living collectively.
But not all of them have always been successful: on multiple occasions inequalities, unrest, famine and totalitarian regimes have emerged, which over time can cause a citizenry tired of abuses and suffering to decide to organize a revolution.
Examples of this are the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution. Another great example, this time in Central America, is the Mexican Revolution, which is considered one of the most relevant political movements in that country. Why was it carried out? Throughout this article, we are going to briefly review the causes of the Mexican Revolution
The name of the Mexican Revolution is a sociopolitical movement and armed conflict that arose at the beginning of the 20th century in response to numerous crises and discontent and rejection (especially on the part of the peasantry and the working class) towards the policies that existed during the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. .
Emiliano Zapata.
The Mexican Revolution began with the Plan of San Luis on November 20, 1910, moment when Francisco Madero, after managing to escape to the United States after being accused of sedition by the government of Porfirio Díaz, called the people of Mexico to arms to overthrow the dictator. Madero achieved the presidency a year later when Díaz resigned and went into exile, but his policies and lack of sensitivity towards the peasants and the problems they presented clashed with the ideals of other leaders such as Emilano Zapata or Félix Díaz.
Uprisings and conflicts appeared, such as the Tragic Decade, after which General Victoriano Huerta would end up changing sides and eventually dismiss Madero, proclaim himself president and then assassinate his predecessor. However, Huerta was not recognized as president and was considered a usurper, which triggered the formation of the Guadalupe Plan in which leaders such as Venustiano Carranza, Álvaro Obregón and Pancho Villa formed a conglomerate of constitutionalist forces to seek his removal from office.
After achieving this and appointing Eulalio Gutiérrez as president, Carranza chose not to recognize the agreement, which would resume hostilities until in 1917 Carranza achieved the presidency, as well as the drafting of the Constitution. Although the fight would not end until many years later, there were different uprisings and many of the leaders were murdered (including Zapata and Carranza himself) in the following years.
Main causes of the Mexican Revolution
We have made a brief historical introduction to the Mexican Revolution, but… what were its causes? Below we break down some of the main problems and discomforts that triggered its outbreak
1. Dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz
The Mexican Revolution was born as mentioned as a process of revolution against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, a soldier who served as president on a total of seven occasions between 1877 and 1911, his mandate being uninterrupted between 1884 and 1911. mode of lifelong dictatorship through the modification and manipulation of the Constitution and breaking his commitment not to remain in office.
Although the country’s economic situation improved under his mandate, it did so unevenly, harming the peasant classes and under high levels of political repression, violence and censorship. There was no political freedom or democracy, with the population not being able to elect their representatives and these were always chosen by Díaz, with great privileges for his family and close environment.
Another of the main causes of the success of the revolution is found in a great perception of social inequality The lands and economic growth were only in the hands of the elites, with the peasantry being mistreated and their lands expropriated while businessmen, clergy and in general the upper class had great power and privileges. In addition, there was great discrimination against the native population to the benefit of foreigners.
3. Lack of labor law
In relation to the previous point, There was no labor law regulating workers’ rights Peasants and workers were exploited and their rights were non-existent, with days of up to twelve hours without a guaranteed minimum wage and without the option to protest. In addition, their debt for life was sought, in order for them to accept extreme working conditions.
4. Expropriations and latifundia
The lands of peasants and indigenous people were expropriated during the Porfiriato (through the law of demarcation and colonization of vacant lands) and later placed in the hands of a few foreign businessmen and landowners.
Huge estates were generated from which only a few benefited, usually exploiting the peasant population that had previously owned them. Only a small percentage of the land was in the hands of the native population.
5. Administration from abroad
During the Díaz government He zealously sought to encourage foreign investment in the country Although this caused the country’s economy to grow and partially recover, it ended up causing most of the country’s wealth to end up in the hands of foreign companies and individuals.
Censorship was also a common element that contributed to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution Strikes and protests were quickly repressed with great violence and were banned. In addition, the press and media could not express opinions or data contrary to the government.
7. Repression and violence
Another characteristic of the Díaz dictatorship was the high level of repression, both political and aimed at citizens. Protests were harshly repressed, often with numerous casualties among those protesting.
Murders were not uncommon, and the so-called Rural Corps was created to prevent dissidence and protests with violent methods in rural areas. Practices such as letting prisoners escape and then murdering them with the intention of preventing an escape were common.
