Revolution Day in Mexico

Mexican RevolutionariesThe holiday is timed to the day of the Revolution - November 20, 1910, when after the magnificent celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Mexico's independence, an armed demonstration against the Diaz regime led by Francisco Madero began.

For many years, Mexicans lived in poverty. Very few people could afford to live a luxurious life. Peasant discontent grew and eventually resulted in a series of strikes across the country. In 1910, General Porfirio Díaz, then in power in Mexico, was forced to hold elections under public pressure. At first loyal, the general quickly changed his mind and imprisoned the main presidential candidate (Francisco Madero), believing that the people of Mexico were not yet ready for democracy.

When Madero was released, he continued his struggle against the dictatorship of Diaz. By this time in the provinces of Mexico managed to become famous Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, defenders of poor peasants. It became increasingly difficult for the general to control the situation, and in May 1911 he was forced to resign.

Madero became president without the support of Emiliano Zapata, who did not want to wait for the approval of land reforms. In November of the same year, Zapata refused to recognize Madero's power as president and declared himself head of the state of Morelos, from where he expelled all the rich landowners and distributed their lands to the peasants. Later, in 1919, Zapato was assassinated by Jesús Guajardo on the orders of General Pablo Gonzalez.

The short rest was again replaced by mutinies and looting of armed army detachments. Madero was sent to prison again and soon executed. The country plunged into chaos.

It was only during the reign of President Venustiano Carranzo in 1917 that the Constitution was adopted. Venustiano implemented the long-awaited land reform, which resulted in the creation of cooperative farms, and the land of rich landowners was ceded to peasants.