1. The Mexican Revolution
Chapter 12 section 4

2. USA vs. Mexico
United States has coast to coast access but… Mexico has the southwest

3. Santa Anna Dominated Mexican politics in 19th century
Played a big role in Mexico’s independence
In 1833 he is President
Very savvy as a politician, and highly successful

4. Texas Revolt
In the 1820s Mexico wanted Americans to settle their territory of Texas
They come in droves
Tensions arise, the “colonist’ want rights in the political process
Stephen Austin calls for a revolt in 1835
Santa Anna wins many battles (most famous being the Alamo)
Eventually he loses and then loses power

5. War, Rise, Fall, Repeat: Santa Anna
Santa Anna is out, then he comes back. (Sounds like Napoleon, only Santa will do it a few more times)
1845 goes to war with USA
USA annexed Texas, this is an act of war. Mexico fights hard but loses
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:
US gets northern 1/3 of Mexico
Includes California and Southwest US

6. Santa Anna Goes into exile after the Treaty is signed
Comes back (does not do much)
Exiled again
Comes back – he is old blind and poor

7. Juarez and La Reforma
When Santa Anna is out the first time Benito Juarez looks to take over.
He is a liberal
Making a name for himself
He is the opposite of Santa
He is a true ‘rags to riches’ story

8. Juarez works for Reform
La Reforma is his brain child
Redistribution of land
Separation of church and state
Increased education opportunities
Santa Anna’s return in 1853 sent Benito and his followers into exile
When Santa Anna is forced out again in 1855 they are back

9. French Invade Mexico Conservatives fight the Liberals
Conservative = wealthy - Liberal = poor
This civil war last 3 years
At the end the Liberals win out and Benito takes Presidency in 1858
Problems:
Mexico has huge debt
Conservatives are talking with foreign powers to take over, France responds

10. France and Mexico France controls Mexico for 4 years
In 1867, after 3 plus years of fighting the rebels France said that it is too expensive and leaves
The rebels are lead by Benito Juarez
Benito takes power again (for the second time)

11. Juarez Part II 1867 he is elected President Progress:
Rebuilds the country (destroyed after a decade of war)
Promotes trade
Works on infrastructure
Introduces new technologies
Reforms education (run by the state, open to all)

12. Porfirio Diaz and “Order and Progress”
By 1870s a new caudillo is in power
Diaz is a military man, so… guess how he rules
Diaz gives anything to his supporters, but
He imprisons, or kills those against him
He remains in power till 1911 with his strong arm tactics

13. Order and Progress This happens with or without Diaz doing so
Railroads, banks, currency, foreign investment are pouring in
Mexico seems to be stabilizing and progressing but looks are deceiving
The wealthy gain more land and the poor become poorer
In 1900s all people rise against Diaz
A new political party comes to take power

14. Madero Begins Revolution
Came from and extremely rich family
Educated in France and the USA
Believes in democracy
Announces that he will run for President in 1910
So Diaz arrest him and exiles him to USA

15. Revolution Gains Momentum
Two armies emerge to fight Diaz
North – lead by Francisco “Pancho” Villa
Cowboy
Robin-Hood type tactics
South – Emiliano Zapata
Wanted lands returned to the poor
Right’s to protect the people
Eventually they both beat Diaz’s army and in 1911 he steps down

16. Mexico Needs a Leader Madero takes over after Diaz Huerta
He never consolidates power and steps down
Huerta
Military man, very unpopular, does very little
Venustiano Carranza
Sides with Zapata and Villa to gain power
Once he does he turns on them
When Carranza lures Zapata into a trap and kills him the revolution is over

17. Mexican Constitution
Carranza revise the Mexican Constitution to what it is today
Big changes: also see table on page 353
Land reform
Education
Worker’s rights
Problem is Carranza sees the new constitution and hates it

18. New Leader, Really!?
So Carranza won’t ratify the new constitution, who will?
Alvaro Obregon:
Took power as a dictator but soon changes
Ratified the constitution
Unites the country and promotes Nationalism
But he is assassinated in 1928

19. More Political Change
A political party takes over Mexico
Institutional revolutionary Party
They do not tolerate opposition
They have everyone’s interest in mind
Mexico is at peace, or at least on the way
While Mexico marches towards peace the rest of the world is gearing up for WAR!