10 CONSEQUENCES OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION - HISTORY - 2025

Among the most notable consequences of the Mexican Revolution we find the promulgation of a new constitution, the reestablishment of certain labor rights, new agrarian policies, the recovery of freedom of religion or the nationalization of oil.

The revolution began on November 20, 1910, 34 years after General Porfirio Díaz managed, after two attempts, to become president and imposed his model of government popularly known as the 'porfiriato'.

Although during this period the growth of the economy was evident, this did not translate into the well-being of the total population and only a few privileged people enjoyed a good quality of life.

The country developed at a huge price: indigenous people and peasants lost their lands because they were forced to sell them to make them productive. The new situation generated states of dissatisfaction in the population that were responded to by repression and intimidation.

In 1910, the Mexican people hoped to defeat the Porfiriato at the polls, but this under repression manipulated the electoral process and made a new presidential term.

Undoubtedly, this was the fact that gave rise to the crisis of the Porfiriato and later the Mexican Revolution with the struggle of various groups, some politicians and others armed.

Social, economic and political consequences of the Mexican Revolution

1- Overthrow of the dictatorship

Portrait of President Porfirio Díaz 1877-1911

The Agora

The Mexican Revolution managed to overthrow the dictator Porfirio Díaz and end the privileges created for his family and friends circle.

With the fall of the regime, democracy was restored and the creation of new norms framed in a state of law was possible, with full respect for the three public powers.

But despite the advances at the political level, it was impossible to prevent the political chaos after the revolution, a product of the interests of various rebel groups.

2- Promulgation of a new constitution

Jury of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (1917). Stories and Stories of Mexico

For two months, in the city of Querétaro a new constitution was drafted that granted individual rights to all Mexicans.

The universal and direct vote was created, slavery was prohibited, secular education was established for official and private schools, and the creation of a Congress with two chambers, one of senators and the other of deputies, was allowed.

3- Restoration of labor rights

Luis N. Morones, first leader of the Mexican Regional Workers Confederation (CROM). National Photo Company Collection / Public domain

Thanks to the Mexican Revolution, freedom of work was enshrined and a system of labor protection was implemented for workers, guaranteeing a maximum of eight hours of work a day, one day of rest a week and vacations.

In addition, regulations were approved to guarantee decent conditions in terms of remuneration and quality of life.

4- Freedom of worship

People of Mexico promoting the boycott of the Calles Law. User: Tatehuari on June 01, 2007

The new reforms allowed Mexicans to live freely their beliefs and cults. The power of the Catholic religion was limited, prohibiting religious vows and the establishment of religious orders.

The cults were free but could only be held inside the temples or private houses.

Freedom of expression was also decreed, cultural power was democratized, ceasing to be the patrimony of "the scientists" who supported the Porfiriato.

5- An agrarian reform law was created

Zapata was a leader of the peasantry revolution. Cbl62 / Public domain

As of 1910, Mexican lands were concentrated in only 5% of the population; in 1912 some revolutionary military leaders made the first land distributions.

Three years later, the three most important revolutionary forces, Constitutionalism, Villismo and Zapatismo, promulgated the agrarian laws.

With the reform it was possible to return the land to the peasants and indigenous people whose properties had been expropriated.

Furthermore, over the years, attempts have been made to guarantee rural development programs focused on small and medium-sized producers, thus reducing the privileges of large landowners.

Between 1911 and 1992 it is estimated that 100 million hectares were handed over to peasants and indigenous people.

6- Expansion of education

The state educational system was oriented to exalt the universal civic and democratic values ​​of man, to promote knowledge, defense and respect for human rights.

The promotion of productive work for a harmonious social coexistence was also promoted, in addition to seeking the development of science, technology and innovation.

The autonomy of the public university was recognized and incentives were given to higher education. It was also achieved that basic education was secular and free with quality services and universal access.

7- Nationalization of oil

Oil wagon of the Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Company, which was expropriated in 1938. Oil wagon of the Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Company, a subsidiary transport company of the British and Dutch-owned oil company, Compañía Mexicana de Petróleo El Águila SA, which would be subject to expropriation in 1938.

All the oil exploration and exploitation companies had to render accounts to the government that promoted the restitution of the subsoil wealth to the nation that was ceded to the owners during the term of Porfirio Díaz.

The Constituent Congress established the difference between land and subsoil ownership, noting that the former could become private property, but the subsoil and its riches belonged to the direct, inalienable and imprescriptible domain of the nation, which could have concessionaires for their exploitation and exploitation.

8- Expropriation of railways

Image of President Lázaro Cardenas after the nationalization of 1937. Doralicia Carmona Dávila / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)

The revolution left the railway networks in ruins, creating the propitious context to create in 1937 the Empresa Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México, merging different capitals, mostly foreign, such as the International, Interoceanic, Panamerican and Veracruz Railways.

9- Population displacement

The closure of numerous private companies reduced the employment rate and for this reason hundreds of Mexicans had to move to other areas, mainly to Michoacán and Jalisco.

Towards the year 1930, the effects of the Great Depression in the world and the reduced incentives for private initiatives generated a severe economic crisis that the State could not control despite the nationalization of various products and services.

10- Currency devaluation

The Provisional Government of Mexico. / Public domain

In 1916 a new coin was issued that was in circulation for only a few months.

The closure of companies produced a reduction in exports and for the country it was impossible to obtain external credit. These were some causes of an accelerated devaluation of the currency.

References

1. Meyer J. Haciendas and ranches, peons and peasants in the Porfiriato. Some statistical fallacies. Mexican History. Vol. 35, No. 3 (Jan. - Mar., 1986), pp. 477-509.
2. Brenner, A. et alt. (1984). The Wind that Swept Mexico: The History of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1942. University of Texas Press.
3. Abat Ninet A. Centenary of the Constitution of Querétaro. Revolution and Constitution, original and suggestive aspects from the perspective of comparative constitutional law. Constitutional Issues, Mexican Journal of Constitutional Law, 2017, Vol 36.
4. Fox J. How does civil society thicken? the political construction of social capital in rural Mexico. Volume 24, June 1996, Pages 1089-1103. University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
5. Koppes C. The Good Neighbor Policy and the Nationalization of Mexican Oil: A Reinterpretation. The Journal of American History. Vol. 69, No. 1 (Jun., 1982), pp. 62-81.