WHAT WERE THE POST-REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENTS IN MEXICO? - HISTORY - 2025

The post-revolutionary governments in Mexico were those that were created after the end of the Mexican Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century. The post-revolutionary period tends to be limited from the presidency of Venustiano Carranza, in 1917, to the government headed by Lázaro Cárdenas, which ended in 1940.

The Revolution began in 1910 and ended with the access to power of one of its leaders, Carranza. The reasons for the outbreak of this revolution are found in the Porfiriato.

The economic improvement that Porfirio Díaz achieved during his three decades in office was only taken advantage of by the most favored sectors of society, while numerous pockets of poverty were created.

In addition, its dictatorial style, the lack of public freedoms and poor working conditions, led the country to the revolutionary outbreak.

Governments after the Revolution

As is usual after events such as a revolution, the governments that appear are caudillistas and personalistas. Institution building is usually slow, and winning leaders tend to come to power.

This happened in Mexico during that period, although everything led to the creation of a much more stable constitutional and institutional framework.

The governments that took place during those years were those of Venustiano Carranza, Adolfo de la Huerta, Alvaro Obregón, Plutarco Elías Calles, Maximato, and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Venustiano Carranza

Carranza had been one of the leaders of the revolutionary troops and was the one who came to power when the situation stabilized. Among his achievements is the country's new constitution, promulgated in 1917.

It regulates labor relations, establishes an agrarian reform and an educational reform very advanced for the time.

However, during his tenure, clashes between the different revolutionary factions continued to occur.

On the one hand, supporters of Villa and Zapata who thought the laws had fallen short and, on the other, the followers of Álvaro Obregón, who was seeking to succeed him in the presidency.

Finally, Carranza is assassinated in 1920 by Rodolfo Herrero's troops.

Adolfo de la Huerta and Alvaro Obregón (1920-1924)

After the death of the president, Adolfo de la Huerta is appointed provisionally. He was a transitional ruler, who was in favor of Álvaro Obregón coming to power. He manages to win the elections and is elected president of the country.

Obregón was in favor of a strong state and carried out a reorganization of the army. Likewise, it proceeds to distribute land between peasants and indigenous people, seeking national reconciliation.

Abroad, he tried to redirect relations with the United States, deteriorated by protectionist regulations in the oil industry.

In 1923 he had to face a small rebellion led by de la Huerta, who tried to return to the presidency without success.

Plutarco Elías Calles (1924-1928)

Elías Calles became the perfect example of a caudillista president. Not only during his four-year tenure, but because of the influence he wielded during the later so-called Maximato.

During his presidency he founded the Bank of Mexico, as well as the first airline. Likewise, it decreed that several dams and rural schools be built.

He had to deal with the so-called Cristero War, in which he faced supporters of the Catholic Church. The Constitution required it to pay a fee, which caused a conflict to break out that did not cease until 1929.

In the elections of 28, Álvaro Obregón is elected again. However, he is assassinated before taking possession. It is then that Calles founded the National Revolutionary Party, an antecedent of the PRI.

The Maximato (1928-1934)

During that period three different presidents succeeded one another, all belonging to the new party and managed by Elias Calles. His policy was a continuation of that of the latter, who was known as the Maximum Chief of the Revolution.

Lázaro Cárdenas (1934-1940)

Cárdenas is chosen by Calles to be the next president, but once the elections are won, it is not as manageable as the previous ones.

He got the support of almost all social sectors, from the caciques to the peasants. This allowed him to get rid of Calles and end, little by little, with the Mexican caudillismo.

During his mandate, the law changed, passing the presidential terms of 4 to 6 years. He founded the Party of the Mexican Revolution and was dismantling the apparatus created by his predecessor.

Similarly, trade unions and other parties began to appear, which gave the country a certain democratic normality.

Among its achievements, the agrarian reform recovered by Emiliano Zapata's project stands out: 18 million hectares were distributed to the communities. Similarly, he proceeded to nationalize the railroad and expropriated the assets of the oil companies.

Articles of interest

Main characters of the Mexican Revolution.

Consequences of the Mexican Revolution.

Stages of the Mexican Revolution.

Causes of the Mexican Revolution.

References

1. Secretary of Foreign Relations. The post-revolutionary stage. Obtained from gob.mx
2. Organization of Ibero-American States. The post-revolutionary period (1920-1940). Obtained from oei.es
3. Jürgen Buchenau. The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1946. Recovered from latinamericanhistory.oxfordre.com
4. Alexander, Robert. J. Lázaro Cárdenas. Retrieved from britannica.com
5. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Plutarco Elías Calles. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com