Blog Post #2
What were the key reasons for the Constitutionalist victory over the Conventionists? In what ways did factionalism still plague the Constitutionalist coalition during and after the negotiations that resulted in the Constitution of 1917?
The Mexican Revolution consisted of corrupted presidents and retaliations against injustices made for the gain of those in power. After countless arduous battles that consisted of the ideology of factionalism that plagued the country. The years of the Revolution led up to the coalition of the Constitution in 1917. The battles that led to the negotiations of the Constitution of 1917 consisted of the conflicts within the country and those who were in high standing politically and relevant to the Revolution. The Constitutionalist rebellions were those driven to pursue justice for the citizens under the dictatorship, which consisted of Venustiano Carranza, Alvaro Obregon, and Pancho Villa. However, due to the rumination of factionalism plaguing the country, this rebellious group eventually split after taking down Huerta in 1914; they did not have the same ambitions anymore. Soon after bringing down Huerta, the generals split into what we know as the Constitutionalists and Conventionists. The Constitutionalists, which consisted of Carranza and Obregon, and the Convetionists, led by Villa and Zapata. The battles consisted of the defeat of the Convetionists and then brought Carranza into the presidency in 1916.
Factionalism will continue to plague Carranza and Obregon soon after Carranza became president. Carranza and Obregon led the Constitutionalists together, Obregon essentially helping Carranza to secure the presidency 1916. During the battle of Leon, Obregon lost an arm defeating Pancho Villa in 1915 (Gonzales, pg. 183). During Carranza’s presidency, he seeked to help laborers, Obregon as well, however, there was limitation to their agreements and ideologies. In the end, Carranza had failed to reconcile with miners and workrs at the pinacle of the Revolution (Gonzales, pp.177). Eventually, after Obregon seeked new horizons and gained new experiences he announced his presidental candidacy on 1919 (Gonzales, pg.178). In conclusion, Carranza was unable to held to presidency due to not being able to reconcile with laborers and the country. Obregon did not oversee Carranza mishandling of the state and decided to consolidate power.
How was Alvaro Obregón able to successfully consolidate power in the early 1920s? What were the main issues he had to overcome? Would you argue that the Revolution had come to a close with his administration? Why or why not?
General Alvaro Obregon successfully acquired power due to his multiple battle victories, most notably over Pancho Villa in 1915 (Gonzales, pg.178) and the Constitutionalist rebellion in 1914 (Gonzales 162–165). Obregon also pursued knowledge and experiences outside Mexico such as traveling to Cuba, Canada, and the United States which would eventually grant him connections by spreading his name. He sought to unite Mexico with the rest of the new world and eventually impulsed society. Multiple politicians operated by building connections outside the country, such as Diaz and Carranza, making Obregon a well-rounded president such as Madero. Obregon by traveling and forming personal connections, his name recognition guaranteed him and the country political connections that would enforce him defeating Carranza. General Obregon had gained political support towards taking down Carranza, including the support of Luis Morones, the head of the Conferacion Regional de Obreros Mexicanos, the Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers, and General Pablo Gonzales, both notably known for previously working with President Carranza (Gonzales, pg.178–180). Eventually, Obregon declared his presidential candidacy on June 1, 1919. Carranza had infamously fallen out and eventually was assassinated by Diaz’s followers when fleeing to Veracruz (Gonzales, 179).
As a president, Obregon had under his belt years of experience and knowledge in the battlefield and politics. Obregon had ambitions for Mexico, he believed in the riches that it has, and that many previous former presidents also acknowledged but did not pursue due to wars and settling old scores. Obregon and Carranza worked together during the years of the Revolution but had differences in helping workers and politics, with Carranza prioritizing politics over workers. These differences eventually brought Obregon to his inevitable victory. In conclusion, after Carranza’s assassination many Revolution war and retaliation ideologies died after 1920, and Mexico sought to unite with other countries under Obregon.
Works Cited:
Gonzales, Micheal J. The Mexican Revolution (1910–1940). Published by University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 2002. Chapters 6–8.
