Francisco I. Madero
The Mexican Revolution, as envisioned by Francisco I, Madero and his middle class supporters was primarily aimed at political reform. His campaign was based on the principles of no-reelection, free market capitalism, and decentralization. Madero advocated for honest elections, participation in the political process with the end goal to end the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz. The lower-class participants including the peasants and laborers had more radical and socio-economic concerns. Their involvement was driven by the desire to address social and political oppression. The lower class was concerned with agrarian reform, land distribution, and labor rights. “To the disgruntled upper class, he was one of them. To the middle class, who primarily sought to gain entry into the political process, his demand for a return to the open access to government provided in the Constitution of 1857 promised not only fairer politics but a more equitable economic system as well. And to the lower class, his relatively enlightened employment practices offered hope.” (Wasserman, p. 7).
Once elected president, Madero faced challenges in reconciling these divergent goals. Madero lacked political experience which made it difficult for him to meet the conflicting demands of the different groups. He had an idealistic vision for a democratic Mexico which clashed with the harsh realities of Mexican politics. There was opposition from the Conservatives in that they were opposed to Madero’s presidency because they feared the changes he represented. On the other end of the spectrum radical revolutionaries felt that Madero was not doing enough to address the demands of the working class and the poor. The divergence in goals between middle class supporters and the lower class eventually led to conflicts with the revolutionary movement itself. To further undermine his ability to govern effectively Madero saw an increase in political violence and instability during his presidency. “Disappointed and angered by Madero’s apparent perfidy, social revolutionaries in Morelos and Chihuahua who had brought Madero to power now sought to overthrow him.” (Gonzales, p. 87). Ultimately, his inability to find a common ground among the various factions resulted in his assassination in 1913.
The early period of the revolution and counterrevolution was significant for several reasons. Madero was a proponent of democracy which played a crucial role in the transformation from the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz to a more democratic government. He was instrumental in the overthrow of Diaz which had suppressed the Mexican people for years. He was an inspiration even though his presidency was short lived in that his martyrdom became a symbol that inspired the continuation of the Revolution. In essence, Madero’s role in the early 20th century of Mexican politics set the stage for the larger revolutionary movements that sought to reshape the nation’s governance and society. His leadership was the catalyst for the changes that followed.
Gonzales, Michael J. The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1940. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2002.
Wasserman, Mark. The Mexican Revolution: A Brief History with Documents. Macmillan Higher Education, 2018.
