20th Century MexicoBy: Zach Snitofsky

Introduction to Mexico

Mexico faced a long period in instability in the 1900’s

In 1910 Francisco Madero was the leader of a revolution that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people

In 1926 the 3 year Cristero War took place revolting against the government

Upon the finish of the war, the Great Depression hit Mexico

Introduction to Mexico

In 1941 Mexico got involved in World War II

In the late 1900’s Mexico suffered from a financial crisis while simultaneously being destroyed by natural disasters and fatalities leaving Mexico helpless

Major ConflictsThe 20th century was a time of world wide chaos with many major wars as a result of conflicts.

2 main wars that Mexico partook in was the Mexican Revolution and World War II

Mexican Revolution

The Mexican Revolution took place from 1910-1920

Francisco Madero unsuccessfully ran for presidency against Porfirio Díaz while writing a book calling for free and democratic elections and an end to the Díaz regime. This sparked increasing calls for change, and Madero became the leader of the revolution

Madero promised democracy, federalism, and agrarian reform and worker’s rights

In 1911 Díaz stepped down and Madero became president and this started a 9 year period of violence with 4 different rulers

Outcomes

With the closing of this war, Mexico lost a section of their population due to Mexicans immigrating to the U.S. These people were in search of a new life and a better job. Upon coming to America they had brought much of their culture along with them.

Mexicans Perspective: With the outcomes of this revolution many Mexicans were not happy with the idea of this government that Madero promised anymore. The thought of the new system was ruined when so many lives were being lost, which is why there were different 4 rulers during this period.

World War II

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Mexico was one of the first to support and offer aid to the United States

Manuel Avila Camacho got many negative actions as a result of deciding to stay with the U.S.

Rallies started as a result of communist Mexicans disapproving being allied with America

When Germany invaded Russia, communist Mexicans began siding with the U.S.

U.S. capital flowed into Mexico, allowing the building factories for wartime needs and a prospering economy

The Mexican army received U.S. training

Outcomes

As a result of Mexican involvement in World War II:

Mexico joins the United Nations

Mexico undergoes great industrial and economic growth

Growth continued while the gap proceeded to grow between the rich and the poor

The ruling government party was renamed the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), and continued its dominance for the next 50 years

Germans Perspective: The Germans were not pleased to hear that Mexico had sided with the U.S. This is because Germany spent a lot of time trying to bring Mexico to the Communist Party, preventing it from going Capitalistic.

Most Important Event

In the 20th century one of the most important events that has impacted and influenced Mexico was World War II

Yes, many people died but there were more long-term benefits for Mexico

Benefits

These long-term benefits included:

Becoming allies with the U.S.

Joining the United Nations

Eventually being a part of the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Emerging from the Great Depression with the creation of many factories and jobs

A growing and prospering economy

A Mexican Factory producing missiles during World War II

What’s the significance?

With becoming allies with the U.S., Mexico has turned against Germany and the communist party

This gave rise to the PRI party which made the government more stable for the next 50 years

Mexico became a part of the United Nations to help preserve international peace

This war brought Mexico out of a time of desperation and provided a surplus of jobs that led to economic and industrial growth

Globalization

Mexico, in this period, took part in globalization along with many other nations

Just after World War II Mexico was one of the original countries to create the United Nations. To this day they are still active members of this group

Also in 1994 Mexico, Canada, and the United States made an agreement, NAFTA

This was established to eliminate tariffs on goods being traded within North America

It was one of the largest free trading networks in the world

Globalization

Aside from organizations that Mexico was in, they expressed their culture also in other ways

As a symbol of its growing international status, Mexico City is chosen to host the Olympics in 1968

Also Mexico has a soccer team that plays in the World Cup and has won a few times

Global Perspective: The globalization and interconnection between countries served as a benefit world wide. The organizations brought nations to peace with one another as well as Olympic Games. These games created enjoyable competition that gave countries a way to connect to each other.

Chaos or Progress?

Although there a lot of destruction and devastation in Mexico in the 1900’s, everything ended up happening for a reason and Mexico benefitted from it

When the century came to an end Mexico:Was a part of a peace organization and a free trade agreement

Formed new alliances

Had a prospering economy and a growing industry

Mexico was able to get rid of a dictatorship which resulted in a stable government system