Summary
Highlights
By the first decade of the 20th century, there was widespread discontent with Porfirio Díaz's government in Mexico. His regime had neglected fundamental issues such as democracy and social justice. In 1908, Díaz stated he would retire, opening the door for political effervescence.
Francisco I. Madero proposed a peaceful and democratic change in his book 'La Sucesión Presidencial en 1910'. He campaigned with the slogan 'Effective Suffrage, No Reelection'. His growing popularity led to his imprisonment, and Díaz won the rigged elections. Madero escaped, proclaimed the Plan of San Luis, and called for an armed uprising on November 20, 1910, uniting peasants, workers, miners, and intellectuals.
The revolutionary forces' capture of Ciudad Juárez forced Díaz to sign peace treaties, leading to his resignation and exile. Madero made a triumphant entry into Mexico City, but instead of taking power immediately, he waited for new elections. However, the country's economic, social, and political situation remained difficult.
In Morelos, Zapatistas launched the Plan de Ayala against Madero for not supporting their land reform demands. In the north, Pascual Orozco also took up arms, while members of the old regime organized a revolt. President Madero entrusted General Victoriano Huerta with defending his government, but Huerta betrayed him, supported a coup, and forced Madero to resign, leading to Madero's death during the Decena Trágica.
Venustiano Carranza, governor of Coahuila, disavowed Huerta and launched the Plan of Guadalupe to restore constitutional order. The country became a battleground, with Constitutionalists fighting the Federal Army. After more than a year, the revolutionaries' advance forced Huerta to resign.
Despite the revolutionary victory, major national problems remained unsolved. Carrancistas, Villistas, and Zapatistas could not agree on the country's direction, leading to a split. The Aguascalientes Convention saw Villistas and Zapatistas prevail with a more social vision, disavowing Carranza. Carranza moved his government to Veracruz and, with Obregón's support, launched a military campaign against Villistas and Zapatistas starting in 1915. With the military situation in his favor, Carranza convened a congress to draft a new constitution, which was promulgated on February 5, 1917. This Magna Carta set the path for the country, addressing key demands like democracy, education, agrarian reform, and labor rights.