Maderismo and the Mexican Revolution: what did they consist of?

Little or very little has been said about one of the most crucial moments in the political and social history of Mexico, but At the beginning of the 20th century, a series of events occurred that marked the trajectory and destiny of the country for 10 years. years. The Maderismo movement, by its ideologue Francisco I. Log (1873 - 1913), was a short but intense period of political revolution in the Latin American country.

Maderismo did not last more than a year and a half, among other things, due to its lack of revolutionary nature, internal disagreements within the movement and, finally, a coup d'état. that was carried out in 1913 by General Victoriano Huerta and with the approval of the United States, which supported politically and logistically the uprising against the timbering. However, the effects of this stage still resonate in the culture of Mexico.

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The precedents of timber

No political or social uprising can be explained without understanding the background. Mexico had lived for decades

a time of government secrecy, political corruption and embezzlement of public funds. José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz (1830-1915), president of the country for almost 30 years, intended to extend his term with a decree that upset society.

The period that Díaz was in power, known as the “Porfirismo”, laid the foundations of a dictatorial government, repressive with civil rights (such as freedom of the press and organization) and that he ruled Mexico with an iron fist. He imposed his legitimacy by excusing himself in the stability and peace that had been established in the country in earlier times. As is often the case in this type of political system, Porfirio came from an outstanding military career, with support from the elites and the backing of the army.

Despite the economic improvement in general terms and the modernization of the country, the mandate of the dictator Porfirio was characterized by the impoverishment of the social majority, especially the agrarian, that he saw how his conditions were deteriorating more and more. As if that were not enough, the personalism and despotism that the Porfirian government acquired further fueled the voices against it.

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The role of Francisco Madero

As it could not be otherwise, Maderismo had as its representative its highest representative, Francisco Madero, who began his journey in politics in 1904, leading anti-reelection policies to avoid a new mandate from the governor of his state, Coahuila. Later, became involved and supported the Mexican Liberal Party in order to promote a more radical change for the country. However, due to ideological differences, he left the party.

It was that same year, 1906 when he founded the Antireelection Party, which had its ideological foundation in the reform of the Mexican electoral system, making it more participatory, more democratic and with the ultimate goal of eliminating the scourge of political corruption. Although it was given less importance due to its brief incidence in public life, Maderismo also included reforms of the health and education system, making it more accessible to the common people, quite advanced measures for its epoch.

In this way, Francisco fought with equal forces against President Porfirio in a social and electoral battle, but he did not even manage to participate in the elections. Porfirio decides to imprison Madero, frightened of the popular support that his movement and person was acquiring. Obviously, Díaz wins the elections again and Madero decides to go into exile in the US. when his attempt to be vice president failed.

Plan of San Luis and the fall of Porfiriomo

Frustrated at having failed in his plan to seize power through legal and democratic means, Madero understood that the only way to bring down Porfirio was through violence and popular uprising. He did so with the famous San Luis Plan of 1910, where he called to arms for November 20 of that same year. The letter asked all the opposition to veto the re-elected government, unite against it and to fight directly with weapons.

Such was the success of the call for rebellion that in just a few months the entire country was in the hands of the rebels, guided mainly by the promises of Maderismo to improve the conditions of the proletariat and salaried workers, with measures such as land expropriation and agrarian reforms deep. All of this precipitated Porfirio's exile to the United States.

Failure of timber

Unfortunately for the country, Maderismo turned out to be a mirage. Francisco I Madero did not keep most of his promises to the farmers. He took a much more reformist and moderate character than expected, disappointing his followers. Timid measures to redistribute wealth, the productive system and more political freedom were not enough to legitimize the Maderista government.

Between opponents within its own bosom, and the nostalgic Porfiristas, Maderismo found itself cornered and without room to maneuver. Due to these facts, the mandate only lasted 15 months, full of instability and fratricidal fights that They were followed by a coup in 1913 by Victoriano Huerta.. Curiously, this historical moment would mark the future of the next decade of the Mexican country, once again plunging into popular revolts and military repression.