(Blog Post 2)The Unavoidable
The divide between the constitutionalist's victory over the conventionists may have been an unavoidable victory. Groups that had become united against Huerta suddenly divided once Huerta stepped down from the presidency. Conventionists led by Zapata and Villa aimed their efforts at land ownership and whether or not those who worked the land should indeed get to own the land as well. They aimed to have an immediate division of land and agriculture and redistribution of land, something that constitutionalists did not agree with them on.
Constitutionalists led by Carranza and Obregon upheld their belief of “Mexico for Mexicans.” This group was built predominantly by middle-class citizens who focused their desire for change on the Mexican people and wanted to exclude foreign ownership of land, transferring it into Mexico's hands.
Both the conventionists and constitutionalists did want similar changes in the distribution of land but the constitutionalist was able to recognize that the people of Mexico lost many rights during the era of Diaz and wanted to make sure the people got back what they deserved and so tragically lost during the days of Diaz. Clearly, the victory of the constitutionalists had to do with the fact that they were for the people, and because of that they were able to claim victory over the conventionists.
In the year 1920, Obregon showed Mexico that his businessman qualities would serve him well as being able to identify a problem and be quick in finding a solution. “ The general’s political alliance with organized labor, a new force in Mexican politics, helped him stabilize his government” (Gonzales, 2002, p.183). Gonzales portrays Obregon as a loyal leader who earned the support of high-ranking federal army officers and the support of laborers.
Although a strong leader, Obregon still faced many issues he had to overcome. The countryside still lacked peace and the lack of “coming to terms with regional elites,” and he did not make the implementation of the new constitution his primary concern leading to struggles with Carranza.
Overall I do feel like Obregon had the right tactics and skills which helped move Mexico into a more stable space. With this, he was able to defeat many allies and create more peace than Mexico had felt many years prior, but I do not believe this resulted in the Revolution coming to a close. I think Obregon's presidency was merely one of the final chapters of the closing of the Revolution.
