Wilson and the Mexican Revolution

Porfirio Diaz Porfirio Diaz (r )- brought stability to a war torn Mexico -but he jailed opponents; didn’t permit free press Diaz turned foreign investment $ (including from U.S.) to modernize Mexico w/ rr and factories -wealth only went to Mexican elite & foreign investors -average Mexicans remained dirt poor Opposition to Diaz begins to grow

The Mexican Revolution 1910 – Diaz jails his opponent Francisco Madero, before the election Emiliano Zapata leads peasant army in the south -want land for native peoples; start taking land Pancho Villa leads an army in the north Diaz soon resigns & flees to France into exile Francisco Madero elected new pres. Of Mexico but faces challenges from all sides -Victoriano Huerta, commander of gov’t troops, imprisons Madero & then executes him Huerta proclaims himself president of Mexico

The US Intervenes Many European nations recognized Huerta’s gov’t, but US Pres. Wilson did not Wilson authorized arms sales to Huerta’s enemies Tampico Incident of 1914: US soldiers went ashore were arrested by Huerta’s forces; quickly released (Apr. 9) -US Admiral H. Mayo demands 21 gun salute to US flag President asks Congress to use armed forces in Mexico While waiting for Congress to act, Wilson learns a German ship loaded with weapons for Huerta is headed for the Mexican port city of Veracruz

Occupying Veracruz Without hesitation, Wilson orders navy to seize city US marines fight in the Battle of Veracruz US occupied city for 6 months -this almost led to a war between Mexico & US June of 1914 – Huerta is forced to resign & flees to Spain

The Revolution Ends Moderate Venestuziano Carranza takes power But Zapata & Villa retaliate with violent acts Pres. Wilson supports Carranza Pancho Villa (Mar. 1916) kills 17 Americans in Columbus, NM Woodrow Wilson orders military to hunt down Villa -John Pershing leads 10,000 troops in the search -11 month search was unsuccessful -Mexicans began to resent American military pushing further into their land

New constitution for Mexico Sept ,000 Nat’l Guard stationed along the Mexican border Wilson removes US troops from Mex. in Jan Dec Carranza calls for a constitutional convention -new constitution protected the liberties/rights of citizens Still, fighting continued in Mexico until 1920 Mexico’s economy suffered great losses -mines abandoned, agriculture disrupted, factories were destroyed -result: many immigrated to the US hoping for better life