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Porfirio Diaz - Control of Presidency
General and accomplished war hero of Mexico, Diaz significantly modernized Mexico and created a general internal stability, despite repressing and threatening his own people. During the 'election' in 1911, Diaz grew tired of competition and simply used the military to capture his electoral enemies, thereby guarenteeing himself another term. The people, however, had witnessed manipulation for the last time, and Diaz was overthrown by the Mexican Revolution. -
Anti-Reeleccionista Party
Francisco Madero, together with many others, acknowledged President Diaz's accomplishments, yet advocated that he should renounce the position. At the nearest election, he and his troup created the Anti-Reeleccionista Party to protest Diaz's subsequent campaigns. He crossed the country telling of Diaz's misdeeds and dictatorship. -
Madero's Imprisonment and the Beginning of a Revolution
Francisco Madero's protests and campaigns to stop President Diaz's reelection had gained him popularity and the hatred of the dictator himself. Seen as a potential threat, Madero was arrested and imprisoned at San Luis Potosi. During his term, Madero denied the legitimacy of the President's status and election and declared himself President Pro-Temp until the nearest election. His bold statement initiated the revolution on November 20th, 1910. -
Initial American Response
America's foreign policy meant donating much money to straggling countries in order to establish lasting debts and relationships. Because of this, they had quite a sum invested in Mexico, one that was being wasted by the revolutionaries in civil wars. The rich, like publisher William Randolph Hearst, had massive ranches and fields that were being raided and lost quicker than any opposing action could be taken. These people protested and chanted to President Wilson for war and retribution. -
Wilson's Response
President Wilson, despite many requests to fight in Mexico and reclaim the nation's and the peoples' lost possessions, stood against involving the country in another nation's affairs, claiming that it was dangerous to determine foreign policy 'in the terms of material interest.' Although he took no direct action, Wilson let American arms flow to Venustiano Carranza and Francisco Villa, the chief rivals of President Huerta. -
Starting of the Rebellion
Francisco Villa and Pascual Orozco, recruited by Madero, joined the revolution, later becoming major figures in the downfall of the dictatorship. They took over the north from the government supported officials who ran it with the help of enraged and riotous peasants. -
Overthrowing Diaz
With armed uprising sparking throughout the country, the 'Maderista' troops, named after one of the fathers of the revolution, fought and won against Diaz's army. After Ciudad Juarez was secured by Villa and Orozco, the President fled to France and died there four years later. -
Murder of Madero and Mass Emigration
After the battle with Diaz, Madero was named President. One of the many revolutionary groups running across Mexico sought ever greater chaos and murdered him, installing General Victoriano Huerta as President. The constant internal warfare drove many Mexicans to move up north to the United States, eventually settling in Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Texas. This borderland troop generally worked menial jobs, anything from farming to building rails. -
Mexican - American Contact
As tensions tightened between the two countries, American sailors were arrested by the Atlantic seaport of Tampico in April of 1914. The soldiers responsible for the capture soon released the sailors and acted for pardon, yet Wilson was set on removing Huerta from government. Asking Congress for permission to go to war with Mexico, Wilson overzealously seized the port of Vera Cruz, angering both the Dictator-President and his rivals. -
Mexican Response
The ABC Powers - Argentina, Brazil, and Chile - mediated the situation between the United States and Mexico, allowing the two countries to avoid a full-on war. Huerta was soon overthrown in July of 1914, allowing for Venustiano Carranza to succeed him. Many rebel factions did not recognize even Carranza as an able or qualified leader and fought him as well. Villa, especially, made trouble for Carranza as well as Wilson, as he killed nearly 40 Americans to provoke war between the two. -
Americans Take Their Leave
Annoyed by Francisco Villa's meddling, Wilson sent General John Pershing, a recognized veteran to destroy the bandit band. He entered Mexico with several thousand mounted troops and quickly sought out Villa, managing to injure his forces and fight with Carranza's, yet they never captured Villa himself, having to withdraw due to the looming German threat.
