Francisco I. Madero: Stepping Stones of The Revolution
Francisco I. Madero was a wealthy landowner and a member of the liberal elite who became disillusioned with Díaz’s authoritarian rule and lack of democratic processes. He believed in democratic principles and sought political reform in Mexico. The Presidential Succession in 19I0 won the support of his middle-class voters by promising democracy without any social and economic change. “Madero’s campaign slogan “Sufragio Efectivo, No-Re-Elección, meant “a real vote and no boss rule,” and appealed to those denied a political voice during the dictatorship,” (Gonzalez, 73). While more democracy was the goal of most people, many lower-class participants, primarily campesinos and laborers, sought more immediate and radical changes, such as comprehensive land reforms and improved working conditions. Their motivations were often driven by socioeconomic grievances and a desire for improvements in their daily lives. Madero wanted to avoid this type of revolution and slightly change the political process, not overthrow the entire system.
These diverging goals created problems for Madero after he was elected president in 1911. He faced challenges in meeting the expectations of various revolutionary factions. The middle class, while supportive of political reforms, was hesitant about extensive socio-economic changes that could destabilize existing structures. On the other hand, lower-class groups felt disillusioned when Madero’s reforms did not meet their urgent demands for land and labor rights. This dissatisfaction led to ongoing conflicts and rebellions, undermining Madero’s position. “Local movements, largely unconnected with one another, kept the revolution alive,” (Gonzalez, 75). While the revolution was strong, these rebellions and movements continued to show the decentralized and fragmented reality of the revolutionary forces challenging Madero’s presidency.
There were over 60,000 revolutionaries involved in the movement, each with their aspirations for change. Among them were Emiliano Zapata and his followers in the southern states of Mexico. Zapata, a leader of the agrarian reform cause, spoke directly to the struggles of the rural poor with the slogan “land and liberty,” (Gonzalez, 87). Madero’s moderate reforms were slow to materialize and failed to address the urgent needs of the lower classes, Zapata demanded immediate redistribution of land to peasants who had long been exploited. The stark contrast between Madero’s promises and the realities faced by the rural population fueled further discontent and rebellion. This opposition resulted in the overthrow of Madero’s government and his assassination in 1913, by General Victoriano Huerta, who capitalized on the divisions within the revolutionary ranks to seize power.
This early period of revolution and counterrevolution in Mexico was significant for several reasons. It marked the end of the long-standing dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz and initiated a period of political upheaval and the idea of true democracy. Further highlighting the socio-economic disparities in Mexican society and the complexities of how one should be implementing revolutionary change. Lastly, it set the stage for revolutionary leaders and movements, such as Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, who would continue the struggle for agrarian reform and social justice in Mexico. These early dynamics shaped the course of Mexican history, influencing its political, social, and economic development in the 20th century.
Gonzales, Michael J. The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1940. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2002.
