The Mexican Revolution was a complex conflict. It lasted about two decades, and close to one million people lost their lives.

The Revolution began with a call to arms on 20th November 1910 to overthrow the ruler and dictator, Porfirio Díaz Mori. He was an ambitious president who wanted to develop Mexico into an industrial and modernized country. He built factories, dams, and roads, but the rural workers and peasants suffered greatly.

Díaz bullied citizens into supporting him. He did not honor civil liberties such as the freedom of press.

In an attempt to strengthen ties with the United States, Díaz took land belonging to the people of Mexico and gave it to wealthy foreigners. Small farmers lost their land. They had no option but to rebel.

Mexico had a series of unreliable presidents.

Francisco Madero, who was responsible for removing Díaz from power, was a weak leader and failed to implement the land reforms he had promised.

Madero was quickly replaced by General Victoriano Huerta, who was a dictator. He was overthrown by Venustianio Carranza in 1914.

Many people accused Carranza of being power hungry, but he also wanted peace. He formed the Constitutional Army and wrote a new constitution that answered many of the rebel demands.

The official end of the Mexican Revolution was the creation of the Constitution of Mexico in 1917. However, the fighting continued long into the following decade.

Many argue that the Mexican Revolution achieved little more than a frequent change of leadership in the country. It did not provide justice for the farmers.

Source: Mexican Revolution
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