The Mexian Revolution: A Revolution or Civil War?

The Mexican Revolution took place in 1910 and ended dictatorship in Mexico. It also

established a constitutional republic. The Mexican Revolution began as a movement of middle-

class protest against the long-standing dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz. Leaders such as Francisco

Madero, Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata fought to bring it to an end in 1917.

These were long years of frustration for those who yearned for change. A big question that stood

out from the start was if this was really a revolution or if it was just a civil war. At this point,

revolutionists understood the goals of all of this; socially and economically. The main goal of

this Revolution was to end dictatorship and start the new beginning of a constitutional republic.

Porfirio Diaz came into power after a military revolt led by liberal faction. Diaz had goals to

centralize the state’s power. He wanted to modernize the country economically and politically. A

centralized state power with free market was his focus. He increased relations with world

economy. Although In the monopoly of violence, he had to reassure investors that their

investments would be safe.

Madero took power in 1910 in which he overthrew Porfirio Diaz. Guerilla leaders Pancho

Villa, and Emiliano Zapata helped Madero. In 1914, Carranza occupies Mexico with the support

of the U.S. soon after Zapata occupies. Mexico needed labor reform and education reform. For

the most part, the new constitution was based on 20th century liberalism under Articles 3, 27, and

123. Liberalism is founded on ideas of liberty and equality. It is gradual reform in moral,

religious, or political matters. This is what the Revolution aimed to gain. The Constitution

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...rom Mercedes to her cook, Rosita, to make a mango pie.

Rosita thought it was strange to have mangos at this hour so she asked how she got them, as

Hellman was explaining, Rosita began to shake her head and said “you see, this is how it works

in Mexico: the poor are always feeding the rich” (Hellman, 209).

I think that was very well said to conclude what we have learned about the case study of

Mexico in the context of political and economic development. The main goal of the constitution

was to end dictatorship and start the new beginning of a constitutional republic. Through the

many struggles Mexico, its leaders, and its people went through; Mexico is still struggling. There

were many improvements that are still in place till this day but as we read in the book of

Hellman about people’s lives in Mexico , there are still much more to do.