Obregón, the Pragmatic Negotiator and Coalition Builder
After nearly a decade of revolution, the Constitution of 1917 ushered in a new era for Mexico. Although promising positive movement for the country, many disparate groups remained. This fragmentation, and the resulting factionalism, presented ongoing challenges for Obregón and the ruling Constitutionalist party. Elite groups who still aligned with Diaz, political interests and economic investment from the US and UK, peasant and middle-class concerns with land reforms, and labor unions all had competing interests. An additional challenge was the remaining revolutionary leaders and groups who presented a constant threat of instability.
Obregón, a man of many talents and rich background, appeared to be the most competent of the revolutionary leaders until now. As Michael Gonzales wrote, he was a blend of liberalism and modernism, a helpful philosophical mix to negotiate and solve problems. As a businessman, he understood the world of economics, trade, foreign investment, and production. His experience as a military commander helped him identify with other commanders’ and soldiers’ values and concerns.
Pragmatic in nature, Obregón seemed to be less wed to ideology and more oriented towards accomplishing goals. He was a deal-maker and was not afraid to compromise to overcome obstacles. In a strategic move, Obregón offered amnesty for his rivals, which mediated the chance of instability. He also began discussions of land reform, an ever-present source of contention with certain groups, especially those who aligned themselves with Zapata. For high-ranking officers, he bought them off with generous financial incentives. Reading his biographical information and actions, Obregón seemed like he could be all things to everyone. “The president compromised ideology and revolutionary objectives…to achieve political and economic stability.” [1] Through all of these actions, he achieved a degree of success in consolidating power.
Although factionalism was a significant hurdle, Obregón also had several other issues that needed to be addressed if his administration was going to be successful. A decade of war left Mexico in an impoverished state, and rebuilding after the revolution and war was a nearly impossible task. The damage to the economy and livelihood was immense. The country desperately needed money, as it had been financially bleeding for the previous ten years.
Sitting on vast petroleum reserves, a potential “solution to Mexico’s overwhelming economic difficulties, caused by loss of life, damage to physical plants, and falling commodities prices, hinged on increasing petroleum exports…” [2] Obregón’s move to exert more control over and tax these natural resources more was opposed by the UK and US. In response to his actions, “both nations withheld diplomatic recognition and demanded that Obregón compromise on Article 27 of the constitution, which had transferred subsoil rights to the state, and that Obregón pay Mexico’s substantial foreign debt. Mexico’s need for financial solvency and normalization of diplomatic relations resulted in international agreements that simultaneously undermined the constitution and stabilized the revolutionary state”.[3]
Land reform was also high on the list of issues that Obregón faced. Although he did not believe that small farms and the traditional “village economy” were the best way forward for the country, he also had to contend with agrarian groups. [4] The Zapatistas, in particular, saw land reform as an issue of primary importance. This group supported Obregon succeeding Carranza, and he could not afford to lose them as an ally. To “consolidate power, he used land reform to appease militant agrarian radicals and to recruit them into his political alliance.” [5] His solution seemed to lack the real change and substance these groups desired in land reform. However, he was able to strategically target the group’s leaders, appease them with partial solutions, and not lose their support. Again, in this example, we see the skillful negotiation tactics of Obregón.
Source used:
Michael J. Gonzales. (2002) The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1940 (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press) ISBN: 978–0826327802
[1] Michael J. Gonzales. (2002) The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1940 (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press) ISBN: 978–0826327802. Pg 187
[2] Ibid. 184
[3] Ibid. 184
[4] Ibid. 190
[5] Ibid. 190
