Mexican Post-Revolutionary Era: Key Concepts & Events

Crossword Definitions

Down:

1. Subsidiarity: Principle according to which the state intervenes only in areas where individuals or private initiative cannot act.
2. Citizenship: The position or status of being a citizen.
3. Welfare State: Government model that seeks to guarantee social rights such as health, education.
4. Liberalism: A political and economic current that promotes the free market.

Across:

2. Crisis: Period of financial instability, marked by devaluations.
3. Social Justice: Principle that seeks to guarantee equality and equity.
4. Development Plan: Set of strategies implemented by the state.
5. Solidarity: Value that encourages cooperation between citizens.

Key Historical Concepts & Events

• During the period known as Maximato, Plutarco Elías Calles exercised indirect control over the presidents in turn, marking a transitional stage towards the consolidation of institutional power.
• The Cristeros played a significant role, though the term 'union' might appear as an unexpected fit in certain contexts related to this period, potentially indicating an ambiguity in the original prompt's intended answer.
• The institutionalization of the Mexican political system implied the creation of solid and permanent institutions that guaranteed the continuity of the post-revolutionary project, such as the establishment of a single-party system.
• The creation of the first political party made it possible to articulate the interests of different sectors of society and channel the demands of the peasant and worker masses.
• The concept of common good served as a guiding principle to justify state policies, arguing that the decisions made would benefit the community instead of individual interests.
• In the post-revolutionary stage, the caudillo became a key figure, whose personalistic and charismatic leadership filled the power vacuum in a context of political instability.
• Universal suffrage, established by the 1917 Constitution, sought to guarantee equal participation of all citizens in electoral processes, regardless of gender or social condition.
• The fight for labor rights during the first half of the 20th century led to significant advances in labor legislation, such as the eight-hour workday and the right to a living wage.
• Through a union, workers found an organized way to demand better working conditions and defend their interests before the government and employers.
• While democracy was aspired to in the political discourse of the time, it faced various challenges due to the concentration of power and the lack of true electoral competition.

Historical Facts & Figures

• Nickname for women in the revolution: ✅ Adelitas

• Defended the Catholic Church, armed conflict: ✅ The Cristeros

• Pancho Villa’s real name: ✅ José Doroteo Arango Arámbula

• Workers organize to demand better conditions: ✅ Union

• 1926–1929 religious conflict: ✅ Cristero War (Cristiada)

• Civil war that shaped Mexican society (1910–1920): ✅ Mexican Revolution

• Maximato period under Calles' indirect control: ✅ Maximato

• 1917 document by Venustiano Carranza: ✅ Mexican Constitution of 1917

• Justification of state policies for the collective: ✅ Common good

• Suppression of speech/writing: ✅ Censorship

• Military hero figure during the revolution: ✅ Caudillo

• 1917 Constitution guaranteed equal participation: ✅ Suffrage

• "The land belongs to those who work it": ✅ Emiliano Zapata

• Laws created by Calles attacking religious freedom: ✅ Calles Law

• Initiator of the Mexican Revolution: ✅ Francisco I. Madero

• First institution to channel demands of masses: ✅ Political Party

• UPAEP High School’s mascot: ✅ Brumildo

Analyzing Historical Sources

• Guide for Source Analysis:

  • Why does this document exist?

  • Who is the author?

  • What is the central idea of the source?

• You can use the following questions to analyze the origin of a historical source:

  • Who is the author?

End of the Mexican Revolution & Post-Revolutionary Governments

The Mexican Revolution officially ended in 1917, but armed conflict continued until 1920 with the election of Álvaro Obregón.

• Marked by political reorganization

• Rise of leaders like Álvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles

• Peace agreements with rebel factions

Post-Revolutionary Governments

• Focus on rebuilding the country

• Land reforms and education

• Social control through institutions

The 1917 Mexican Constitution

Promulgated on February 5, 1917

• By Venustiano Carranza

Key Points:

• Article 3: Free and secular education

• Article 27: Land ownership and redistribution

• Article 123: Labor rights (8-hour workday, unions, fair wage)

• Basis for post-revolutionary reform

The Maximato & the PNR's Foundation

The Maximato (1928–1934) saw the foundation of the PNR (National Revolutionary Party) in 1929.

The Maximato (1928–1934)

• Plutarco Elías Calles controlled presidents behind the scenes

• Known as the "Jefe Máximo"

Founding of the PNR (National Revolutionary Party) in 1929

• First institutional party

• Reduced political violence

• Predecessor of PRI

Lázaro Cárdenas' Government & Oil Expropriation

Lázaro Cárdenas became president in 1934.

President Lázaro Cárdenas (1934–1940)

• Land redistribution (Ejidos)

• Strengthened unions

• Creation of PEMEX

Oil Expropriation (1938)

• Took oil resources from foreign companies

• Boosted nationalism and economy

The Mexican Miracle & Social Sectors

The Mexican Miracle (1940s–1970s) marked a notable increase in the Mexican economy.

The Mexican Miracle (1940s–1970s)

• Rapid industrialization

• Economic growth (6% annual GDP)

• Urbanization and rise of middle class

Social Sectors

• Workers (CTM), peasants (CNC), middle class

• State guided development through corporatism

Key Political & Economic Concepts

Corporatism:

A system where the state controls large interest groups (e.g., workers, peasants, agriculturists) within a political system.

Clientelism:

The unofficial exchange of favors by a political party for loyalty or support.

PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional):

The Institutional Revolutionary Party, a dominant political party in Mexico from 1946–2000, evolved from the PNR.

Import Substitution:

A government policy that encourages national production to reduce reliance on international imports.