Revolution
Mexico, 1911–1940.
A decade of revolution destroyed the old regime. The 1917 constitution promised land reform and workers' rights, and the governments that followed rebuilt the state.
Seat of power: Mexico City
Rulers
Francisco I. Madero
President, 1911–1913
Led the call to overthrow Díaz and won the 1911 election. He wanted a democracy with free elections but moved slowly on land reform and was murdered in a military coup in 1913.
Portrait of Francisco I. Madero: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Lázaro Cárdenas
President, 1934–1940
Distributed about 18 million hectares of land to peasant communities and nationalised the oil industry in 1938. He organised workers and peasants into the ruling party.
Portrait of Lázaro Cárdenas: Unknown authorUnknown author, CC BY 4.0, file
Culture
- Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros paint murals on public buildings.
- Frida Kahlo paints her self-portraits.
- Corridos, popular ballads, spread news and legends of Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.
Picture
Mexican muralism turned public walls into history lessons.
Image: Diego Rivera, Public domain, file
