Mexican Revolution Parade
The Mexican Revolution was a political movement that took place from 1910 to 1920
It was a long and bloody struggle among a series of factions constantly shifting alliances
The Revolution resulted in the end of a 30-year dictatorship in Mexico by Porfirio Diaz
Thanks to the Revolution, a constitutional republic was established
The revolution began against a background of dissatisfaction with the elitist and oligarchical policies of Porfirio Díaz
In 1908, Díaz said he welcomed democracy but declared himself the winner after mock elections in 1910
Soldaderas, Rieleras, Valentinas, and more often called Adelitas were women in the military who participated in the conflict of the Mexican Revolution
Francisco I. Madero, the leader of the Antireeleccionistas, wrote the Plan de San Luis calling for a revolt on November 20
The revolt was a failure, but it kindled revolutionary hope in many quarters
During the Revolution, women also acted as spies, sent clandestine letters, and distributed guns
Pascual Orozco and Pancho Villa mobilized their armies and began raiding government garrisons in northern Mexico
La Adelita is a female Mexican revolutionary icon
In the south, Emiliano Zapata directed a bloody campaign against the local caciques
In the spring of 1911 the revolutionary forces took Ciudad Juárez, forced Díaz to resign, and declared Madero president
However, the low pace of reforms in Madero's government caused discontent among many factions who turned against him
There were women soldiers and colonels but women without military ranks also played an important role in the fight
One of the relevant events of the Revolution took place on February 18, 1913 and is known as "La Decena Trágica" or "The Ten Tragic Days"
Victoriano Huerta and Felix Díaz met to conspire against Madero and to install Huerta as president
Opposition to Huerta grew in the north, and an uneasy alliance was formed between Pancho Villa, Álvaro Obregón, and Venustiano Carranza
Most women who joined the political movement where middle class, educated and lived in the city
Carranza's Plan de Guadalupe called for Huerta’s resignation
In 1914, the rebel forces converged on Mexico City, forcing Huerta into exile
Over Villa's objections, Carranza declared himself president on August 20, 1914
Villa, Obregón, and Zapata held a convention at which it was agreed that the rivalry between Villa and Carranza made order impossible, and they elected Eulalio Gutiérrez interim president
Carranza became president again and presided over the writing of the Constitution of 1917
The Constitution conferred dictatorial powers on the president but gave the government the right to confiscate land from wealthy landowners, guaranteed workers’ rights, and limited the rights of the Roman Catholic Church
Carranza remained in power by eliminating those who opposed him (Zapata was assassinated in 1919), but in 1920 opposition reached a peak and he was killed
Many historians regard 1920 as the end of the revolution
Nevertheless, sporadic violence and clashes between federal troops and rebel forces continued until President, Lázaro Cárdenas took office in 1934
Cárdenas institutionalized the reforms that were fought for during the Revolution and were legitimized in the Constitution of 1917
On the 109 anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, the government announced several activities to commemorate the political movement.
On November 20, there was be a ceremony to decorate the armed forces at 10 a.m. at the National Palace, President López Obrador's office and residence.
There was a historical representation of the Mexican Revolution, with over 1,130 characters, antique cars, clothes, and other objects. The representation took place at the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square.