The Mexican Revolution Quiz

Mexican Revolution

• The Mexican Revolution began in 1910 and lasted for over a decade, reshaping the country's political, social, and economic structures.

Social Structure before the Revolution

• Before the revolution, Mexico's social structure was characterized by a small elite of wealthy landowners and politicians who held power, while the majority of the population, including peasants and workers, suffered from poverty and social discrimination.

Causes of Discontent

• Widespread discontent before the revolution was primarily caused by the regime of Porfirio Díaz, which maintained power through repression and fraud, leading to economic inequality and social injustice.

Effects of Porfirio Díaz's Regime

• Porfirio Díaz's regime had a devastating impact on rural and working-class Mexicans, who suffered from poverty, exploitation, and lack of political representation.
• His economic policies widened the wealth gap in Mexico, benefiting the wealthy elite and foreign investors at the expense of the working class.

Consequences of Foreign Investment

• The primary consequence of foreign investment and modernization encouraged by Porfirio Díaz's regime was the concentration of wealth in the hands of foreigners and a small elite, further exacerbating social and economic inequalities.

Díaz's Rule

• Porfirio Díaz maintained power through repression, fraud, and manipulation, characterizing his dictatorship as authoritarian and corrupt.
• His regime fueled the desire for political change and democratic governance, as the lack of political representation and civil liberties became increasingly unbearable.

Challengers and Revolutionaries

• Francisco Madero challenged Porfirio Díaz in the 1910 presidential election, sparking the Mexican Revolution.
• Emiliano Zapata's Plan de Ayala in 1911 called for land reforms, influencing the revolutionary agenda and shaping the revolution's social and economic goals.
• Pancho Villa led peasant armies in the north during the Mexican Revolution, while Emiliano Zapata led peasant armies in the south.