The Mexican Revolution

A decade of civil war that ended the long rule of Porfirio Díaz and reshaped Mexican society.

Background

Porfirio Díaz had governed Mexico for most of the period since 1876. His government encouraged investment and railways, but land became concentrated in a few hands, peasants lost communal holdings, and political competition was suppressed.

Course of events

Francisco Madero called for revolt in 1910, and Díaz resigned in 1911. Madero was overthrown and killed in 1913 under General Victoriano Huerta. Leaders such as Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa, Venustiano Carranza and Álvaro Obregón then fought over the direction of the country.

Legacy

The Constitution of 1917 provided for land reform, labour rights and limits on the church. The war killed possibly up to a million people, and the political system that emerged shaped Mexico for much of the twentieth century.