Porfirio Diaz contributions towards his country’s material prosperity pulled Mexico out of it stagnate position, and in this prosperity one of the greatest factors was the rapid development of the Mexican railroad transportation facilities. Through Diaz’s progression not even his biggest enemies could deny the success that quickly followed his movement. When Diaz first took office there was only two small lines of rails, and through this progress, Mexico expanded over nineteen thousand miles of rails. As a result of Diaz’s success, railroads promoted both growth and underdevelopment, which secured Mexico as a state.
Before the coming of the railroad, dirt trails and highways, which were built by the early Spaniards, were the main form of transport for the modern Mexican. Both forms of transport, which have proven not only to be timely, but also costly, formed obstacles in the way of development and expanding the great resources within the country. According to Railroads of Mexico, “mulls and wagons traveled an average of fifteen to eighteen miles per day” (Powell, 94). For this inefficient and timely reason, Mexico was stuck in a stagnant position, until the arrival of the railroads. How was Mexico supposed to grow economically, politically, and industrially when the entire country is operating in slow motion?
Subsequently, Mexican transport by any means was not accompanied by comfort and pleasure. The retched highways of Mexico were a factor that most Mexicans tried to avoid, for one main reason; the natural causes of deterioration of Mexico’s highways made for an uncomfortable long ride. One early traveler of Mexico explains, “I have traveled on rough roads in my time, but such a road as this never” (Powell, 97). ...
... middle of paper ...
...h this era of progress towards complete stabilization, Mexico was still lacking the provision of better educational opportunities. Mexico was a state compiled of Indians and people of mixed blood, and having said that, illiteracy and educational facilities were extremely low. In order to stay on the road of prosperity created by Diaz, it was up to the next leader “Madero” to give proper attentions to the needs of the common people.
Works Cited
Fred, W. Powell. “The Railroads of Mexico.” Stratford Co. Boston. 1921
Osgood, Hardy. “The Revolution and the Railroads of Mexico.” University of California Pres. 1934
The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 39, No. 4 (Dec., 1979), pp. 939-960
Published by: Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Economic History Association
Rock. “History 8 Reader.” University of California Santa Barbara. Pp. 105-109
“Motor Age Geography” describes land use practices and new transportation policies, which in turn helped reshape roads. These key aspects helped centralized rural America, while urban areas in America were decentralized. Specific landscapes from then to now required that people of America would have to own a motor vehicle to function effectively on a day to day basis. “Fueling the Broom” goes into detail about oil wells, pipelines, service stations, and so forth. This term explains how taxes on gas became a significant source of funding for road building. “The Paths Out of Town” examines mass production and how it increased the demand for the iron ore, wood, rubber, and many other raw materials. As the need for automobiles steadily increased, American construction workers built one mile of road per square mile of land. When Americans built highways, soil erosion came into the picture along with the natural habitat for wildlife. At this time planners focused on creating a “car friendly nature” (Wells). The book informs the reader on the historical period from 1940-1960 where the government granted housing to the suburban area and highways
In Henry George’s article, What the Railroad Will Bring Us, it discusses the main social, political, and economic transformations that the trans-continental railroad would bring to the state of California. More importantly, he discusses not only the benefits, but also discusses the major drawbacks with the arrival of the railroad. Henry George stated the railroad would be the “greatest work of the age” (297). With a railroad stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, multiple benefits would be brought to the state of California. First, the railroad will not only create a new means of transportation across the United States, it additionally would also become “one of the greatest material prosperity” of its time (298). This means more people, more houses,
However, in Los Angeles and throughout the southwest, the Mexican population had shifted from heavily immigrants into United States-born citizens. These new English speaking, young generation no longer thought of themselves as “Mexico de afuera” but, started to embrace the American clean-cut style at the time. Resulting in new Deal youth programs...
Railroads were America’s first big business and contributed a great deal towards advancing industrialization. Beginning in the early 1870's, railroad construction in the United States expanded substantially. Before the year 1871, approximately fourty-five thousand miles of track had been laid. Up until the 1900's another one-hundred and seventy thousand miles were added to the nation's growing railroad system. This growth came about due to the erection of transcontinental railroads. Railroads supplied cities and towns with food, fuel, materials, and access to markets. The railroad system made way for an economic prosperity. The railroad system helped to build the physical growth of cities and towns. It even became another means of communication. Most importantly, it helped to produce a second
For thirty-four years Mexico existed under the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz. During this time Mexico’s industries flourished however the Mexican people remained deep in poverty with little to no opportunities for educational growth. The Mexican revolution was the result of Diaz’s fall from leadership, the peons need for independence, and resulted in a new beginning for Mexico. The Mexican Revolution began due to Porfirio Diaz not allowing anyone to have a voice or say in whatever it is they must do. The people of Mexico were upset because everyone was in poverty because only a select few people actually had money because Porfirio Diaz allowed them to those select few where also the ones in power behind Porfirio. Due to all of the poverty and the poor not having a say in anything they do or have to do it caused an uprising of the peasants led by Emeliano Zapata and Pancho Villa which are greatly known for their effort against the corruption and poverty in Mexico. Although Porfirio Diaz had brought some great things to help Mexico flourish in the industrial form and economical form but for the normal working class citizens that aren’t good friends with Diaz or know him on a personal level are left broke and are left with no way to get away from their financial problems because Diaz doesn’t allow them to make enough money to prosper in anything they do. Diaz’s way of ruling Mexico was so bad that it didn’t even allow the majority of the people of Mexico to get an education because they couldn’t afford it. The only people to benefit from the new rail road systems and factories were the rich hacienda land owners. The rich hacienda owners were also the people who were basically in control over the peons they had control over them as ...
Throughout the book Tom Lewis goes back and forth between the good and bad that came about from building highways. While the paved roads connected our country, made travel time faster, provided recreation, and pushed the development of automobiles they also created more congestion and travel time, divided communities, and made us slaves to automobiles. The author is critical of the highways, but he does realize the great achievement it is in the building of America. Lewis said, “As much as we might dislike them, we cannot escape the fact that ...
The education system was not equal for everyone. They separated the White and Mexican students with the excuse that the Mexican students did not know the language well enough and needed a different kind of education, so they created schools specifically for them. While the White students had all the new textbooks and nice schools, the Mexicans had what was left. They were given old used textbooks and small poorly built schools. In document 5 it showed two photos. The first photo was of students who attended Mexican Ward School in Texas in 1946. They photo shows students sitting in chairs
Railroads first appeared around the 1830’s, and helped the ideas of Manifest Destiny and Westward expansion; however, these were weak and didn’t connect as far as people needed, thus causing them to be forced to take more dangerous routes. On January 17th, 1848, a proposal was sent to Congress by Asa Whitney to approve and provide federal funding...
The history of political instability in Mexico and its need for revolution is very complex and dates back to the colonization of Mexico by the Spaniards in the 1500s. However, many aspects of the social situation of Mexico when the Revolution broke out can be attributed to the thirty-year dictatorship of President Porfrio Diaz, prior to 1911. The Revolution began in November of 1910 in an effort to overthrow the Diaz dictatorship. Under the Diaz presidency, a small minority of people, primarily relatives and friends, were in ...
The railroad played a major role in forging the history of many countries including the United States of America. The railroad began to bring people to places that before then where only accessed by weeks of dangerous travel over harsh and deadly terrain. The industrial revolution had ushered in a completely new era. The new era was one of mass production, supply and demand, and new requirements of industry. The growth of industry had created new demands for transit, trade, and more robust supply lines. The railroad boom across the U.S. had spread and proceeded to grow the economy quickly therefore, many people began using the rail roads just as quickly. The rail market continued to grow and by the 1860’s all major cities within the United States were connected by rail.
If you want a general history of the Mexican Revolution because you are just beginning to think about the subject, if you are looking for concise explanations, then this is not the book you need. ZAPATA AND THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION is for college courses on Latin American history, or for the scholar who wants every detail in Zapata's long struggle, for the person who wants to know what the peasants and small town dwellers of the state of Morelos went through in the first two decades of the twentieth century. The work is impressive, not only for its vast wealth of detail, but for its compassion and sympathy for the aims of those people who made tremendous sacrifices for their cause.
The transcontinental railroad would eventually become a symbol of much-needed unity, repairing the sectionalism that had once divided the nation during the Civil War. The construction of the transcontinental railroad was also an extension of the transportation revolution. Once commodities such as gold were found in the western half of America, many individuals decided to move themselves and their families out west in search of opportunity. Not only did the railroad help to transport people, but it also it allowed for goods to be delivered from companies in the east. In the end, the American transcontinental railroad created a national market, enabling mass production, and stimulated industry, while greatly impacting American society through stimulated immigration and urbanization.
When we hear discussions or read articles about drug wars, killings, and illegal immigration into the United States, many of us immediately think of Mexico. As a nation, Mexico is a much greater country than these commonly referred to issues. Mexico is a country with a broad history, deep family culture, and an economy fueled by oil and tourism. The United States Department of State (USDS) offers a broad range of information on countries outside the US, including Mexico. I found a wealth of information about Mexico through the USDS Background Note provided on their website located at www.state.gov. I will outline for you the key information found in this report, and others, related to the Mexican economy, culture, and more.
In 1821, Mexico won its independence back from Spain but that wasn’t the end of their fight. Many countries have continued to struggle after engaging in war, whether they win or lose, and Mexico was no different. Recovery was challenging, they face many political challenges, and struggled to secure a suitable leader. It was also difficult for them to populate and protect borders of the northern area they acquired when winning their independence. Populating these areas was made even more difficult by the constant conflict and fighting they engaged in with the Native Americans. Not only that, but the central government and the poorer frontier communities clashed when it came to theirs ideals and they struggled to communicate and work
... actually made it passed the drawing board and onto actually getting built. Another thing was that the cultural side was also improved they set up secular primary schools and developed a curriculum. They also went on to say show Mexicans should be “Mexicans must learn to discipline themselves, work hard, be responsible, control bad habits such as drunkenness, and even save for a rainy day”(The oxford History of Mexico Pg 370). Benito Juarez even came to a compromise with the catholic church and stopped enforcing the reform laws and the church stopped speaking bad about the government. What the reform also did was endorse equality under the law, and a country where citizens make their own decisions on how to live. It also questioned the place of the church in Mexican society, also expanded the outlook and ambitions of many Mexicans and also gave rise to nationalism.