FL 380: An Archaeology of the "Boom":
Modern Latin American Fiction
MEXICAN REVOLUTION 1910-1940 PRINCIPAL FIGURES
Pedro Páramo and The Death of Artemio Cruz
DÍAZ, PORFIRIO
Díaz, Porfirio, 1830-1915, Mexican dictator. In 1876 he lost
the presidential election, revolted, and seized power. He ruled MEXICO
ruthlessly for 35 years in the interest of the few and at the expense of
the peons. He promoted prosperity by encouraging foreign investments. Growing
popular discontent culminated in the 1910 revolution led by MADERO. Diaz
fled and died in exile.
MADERO, FRANCISCO INDALECIO
Madero, Francisco Indalecio, 1873-1913, president of MEXICO (1911-13).
A champion of democracy and social reform, he led (1910) the revolution
that swept through Mexico and overthrew (1911) the DÍAZ regime,
but he failed to implement notable reforms. Revolts broke out, and Gen.
HUERTA treacherously assassinated Madero's brother, seized power, and arrested
and imprisoned Madero. He was killed while allegedly attempting to escape.
HUERTA, VICTORIANO
Huerta Victoriano, 1854-1916, president of MEXICO, (1913-14). As commander
of federal forces he overthrew Pres. MADERO and set up a dictatorship marked
by corruption and violence. Numerous revolts forced him to resign (1914)
as president and to flee into exile.
VILLA, PANCHO
Villa, Pancho (Francisco Villa), c.l877-1923, Mexican revolutionary;
b. Doroteo Arango. A bandit in N Mexico, he joined (l910) the rebels and
fought vigorously for Pres. MADERO and later against Gen. HUERTA and Pres.
CARRANZA. He and ZAPATA occupied (1914-15) Mexico City, but he was decisively
defeated (19l5) by Gen. OBREGÓN. After Villa's men killed (1916)
some American citizens at Columbus, N.Mex., a U.S. army expedition pursued
Villa in Mexico for 11 months without success. At times a rebel against
injustice, but always an undirected, destructive force, Villa became a
national hero.
ZAPATA, EMILIANO
Zapata, Emiliano, c.l879-1919, Mexican revolutionary. An Indian tenant
farmer, he tried to recover (1908) expropriated village lands, and he led
(1910-19) an army of Indians in the Mexican revolution with the goal of
regaining the land. In defense of this program, he fought federal governments
and largely controlled S. Mexico. His army occupied Mexico City three times
(19l4-15), but he finally retired to Morelos, where he was treacherously
killed by a government emissary. Zapata is still revered by Mexican Indians.
CARRANZA, VENUSTIANO
Carranza, Venustiano, 1859-1920, Mexican political leader. He fought
in the Mexican revolution and helped to overthrow (19l4) Gen. HUERTA. He
became president (1914) and, aided by Gen. OBREGÓN, survived a civil
war (1915). When he did not enforce the reform constitution of 1917 and
tried to prevent Obregón from becoming president, the latter revolted
(1920). Carranza fled the capital and was murdered.
OBREGÓN, ALVARO
Obregón, Álvaro, 1880-1928, president of MEXICO (1920-24).
A successful general in the Mexican revolution (1910-17), he rose (1920)
against Pres. CARRANZA and became president. His administration enacted
agrarian, labor, and educational reforms. Chosen president again in 1928,
the anticlerical Obregón was assassinated by a fanatical Roman Catholic
before he could take office.
CÁRDENAS, LÁZARO
Cárdenas, Lázaro, 1895-1970, president of MEXICO (1934-40).
He fought (1913-17) as a general in the Mexican revolution and was elected
president. He expropriated foreign-held properties, distributed land to
peasants, and instituted reforms to benefit Indians and Mexican workers.
His influence in advancing constitutional processes was great.