Ch 08 - Revolutions against dictators: Mexico, Nicaragua, and Iran Flashcards
What common traits are found in personalist regimes?
Personalist rulers alienate elites through patronage and corruption, favor their families and cronies economically, weaken the military to prevent coups, and often cause uneven economic growth and inflation.
Who ruled Mexico before the revolution, and what characterized his regime?
General Porfirio Díaz ruled Mexico for 34 years, bringing stability and economic growth, promoting foreign investments, and enriching his supporters while marginalizing peasants and middle classes.
What economic problems led to unrest in Mexico before the revolution?
A downturn in commodity prices (1907–1909) hurt mining towns and farms, spreading economic misery.
How did the revolutions in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Iran differ despite similar origins?
-Mexico: Moderate leaders consolidated power after a civil war, followed by land reforms and nationalization years later.
-Nicaragua: The revolutionary regime peacefully gave up power after losing a fair election, but the revolutionary leader later returned to power through elections.
-Iran: The revolution established an Islamic republic, a unique form of government in world history.
Who initiated the Mexican Revolution, and what was his main criticism of Díaz?
Francisco Madero criticized Díaz for denying Mexicans freedom and control over their fate and campaigned for democratic elections.
What happened to Madero during the 1910 presidential election?
Díaz arrested Madero and 5,000 of his supporters, rigged the election, and was re-elected.
How did Madero respond after escaping imprisonment?
Madero declared the 1910 election invalid, fled to Texas, and called for revolution in Mexico.
What role did Victoriano Huerta play during the revolution?
Huerta, a former Díaz general, seized power in 1913, had Madero killed, and triggered a new round of civil war.
How were the revolutionary leaders’ fates sealed?
-Zapata was assassinated in 1919.
-Villa retired in 1920 but was assassinated in 1923.
Who were the major leaders of the Mexican Revolution, and what did they represent?
-Emiliano Zapata: Charismatic village leader advocating for peasant land reforms.
-Francisco (Pancho) Villa: Former bandit who led an army of ranch hands and peasants in the north.
-Venustiano Carranza: Senator seeking to restore constitutional democracy.
What actions did Carranza take after Huerta’s coup?
Carranza organized forces loyal to Madero, appointed Alvaro Obregón as General for the northwest, and joined Zapata and Villa in fighting against Huerta.
What challenges did Madero face after becoming president?
Madero faced local rebellions supported by Díaz loyalists, opposition from Zapata for not enacting radical reforms, and betrayal by Huerta, who seized power and killed him.
What were the outcomes of the battles against Huerta?
-Huerta fled in 1914 after major defeats by Villa and Obregón.
-Carranza took power in Mexico City but faced continued opposition from Zapata and Villa.
What led to Díaz’s resignation in 1911?
Revolutionary forces, including Zapata, Villa, and Carranza, grew too strong for Díaz to suppress.
How did the civil wars continue after Huerta’s fall?
Zapata and Villa distrusted Carranza, leading to ferocious battles between their forces and Carranza’s army led by Obregón.
What democratic reforms were included in the 1917 Mexican Constitution?
-Workers’ right to form labor unions.
-Prohibition of child labor.
-Equal pay for men and women.
-Government’s right to redistribute land to the poor.
What were the significant reforms carried out after the Mexican Revolution?
Land reforms and the nationalization of major industries were implemented, though only a decade after the initial revolution.
What led to Carranza’s downfall in 1920?
He turned on Obregón, who planned to run for president. Obregón’s forces intercepted Carranza’s train, and Carranza was killed.
Why was Carranza’s support weakened after the 1917 Constitution?
He declined to enforce many of the provisions, moved cautiously on economic reforms, and resisted radical change.
What significant change did Plutarco Elías Calles make during his presidency (1924–1928)?
He increased restrictions on the Catholic Church, which led to the Cristero War (1926–1929).
What was the Cristero War, and why did it occur?
The Cristero War was a conflict between Catholic groups and the government over restrictions on the Church. It occurred because Calles underestimated Mexicans’ attachment to their clergy and faith.
What political institution did Calles found in 1929, and why was it significant?
Calles founded the National Revolutionary Party (later renamed PRI). The PRI dominated Mexican politics for 71 years.
What happened to Obregón after his re-election in 1928?
He was assassinated by a Catholic partisan before taking office.
What reforms did Lázaro Cárdenas implement during his presidency (1934–1940)?
-Extensive land reforms.
-Promotion of national labor unions and higher wages for workers.
-Nationalization of foreign-owned railways and oil industry.
How did Mexico’s political system evolve after Cárdenas?
Successive leaders ran Mexico as an authoritarian state dominated by the PRI, with presidents handpicking their successors.
When did Mexico transition to a true constitutional democracy, and why?
In 2000, after economic crises in the 1980s and 1990s undermined PRI support and an expanded middle class demanded change.
What event in 1972 marked the beginning of the end for the Somoza dynasty?
A massive earthquake struck Managua, destroying much of the city.
What characterized Nicaraguan politics before the Somoza dynasty?
Feuding families with private militias and repeated U.S. intervention.
What led to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Nicaragua in 1932?
The Great Depression pressured the U.S. to leave after organizing new elections.
How did General Anastasio Somoza García rise to power?
-Assassinated Sandino in 1934.
-Deposed the elected president in 1936 and seized power
Who was Augusto César Sandino, and what was his stance during the civil war?
Sandino was a guerrilla leader who opposed U.S. intervention and vowed to continue fighting until all U.S. troops left Nicaragua.
How long did the elder Somoza rule, and what happened to him?
He ruled for 20 years until his assassination.
