POLITICAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN LATIN AMERICA

POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN LATIN AMERICA: 18671917 By: Abby Gordon and Dickie Fairbanks

MEXICAN POLITICS AND ECONOMY: CONSERVATISM IN 1860 • The president of Mexico was Benito Juarez in 1861. • For three years, he was constantly fighting for control of Mexico against Maximilian Von Habsburg. • Habsburg was the son of the emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph I. Joseph granted his son emperor of Mexico. (He was approved by Conservative Mexicans) • Van Hapsburg and Juarez were constantly fighting each other for political control of Mexico. • Von Hapsburg was officially recognized by the conservatives as the emperor of Mexico on April 20 th, 1864.

MEXICAN POLITICS AND ECONOMY: JUAREZ GAINS CONTROL • In 1867, Maximillian and his forces were defeated by Benito Juarez after three years of continuous conflict between the two. • Juarez denied all pleads for amnesty and had Von Hapsburg executed by firing squad. • Immediately after the victory, Juarez set economic and political reforms.

MEXICAN POLITICS AND ECONOMY: POLITICAL REFORM • After Benito Juarez was reinstated as president, he adopted a decree on August 14 th, 1867. This called for five constitutional reforms and was a referendum of constitutional reform. • Establishes a bicameral legislature that added a Senate. • Only the congress can veto the president with a 2/3 majority. • Substituting written notice by executive officers for a previous requirement of personal presence. • Limiting the powers of the congress committee when congress is not actually in session. • To provide method of succession for both president and chief justice. • The decree also stated that there must be general elections. • From 1867 up until Juarez’s death in 1872, constant controversy arose because the reforms strengthened the executive power.

MEXICAN POLITICS AND ECONOMY: ECONOMIC FOCUS • In 1877, Porfirio Diaz revolted against Juarez’s successor Sebastian Lerdo De Tejada. • Diaz successfully ruled as dictator of Mexico until 1911. • During this time period, Mexico underwent tremendous commercial and economic developments. • This was based on Diaz’s encouragement foreign investment

MEXICAN POLITICS AND ECONOMY: ECONOMIC FOCUS • By 1910 most businesses in Mexico were owned by foreign countries. • Mostly American or British owners • Diaz modernized and industrialized Mexico City, turning it into metropolis • The constant inequality of Mexico’s political and economic systems led to growing discontent which ultimately led to revolution.

ARGENTINE POLITICS AND ECONOMY • Pelagio Baltasar Luna was an Argentine politician of the radical civic union. • He joined the radical youth in 1889 which took part in the armed revolution the following year. • In 1916 Luna was elected vice president serving until his death in 1919.

THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION 1910 -1920 • On November 20 th, 1910, the Mexican Revolution begins when Francisco Madero issues the plan of San Luis Potosi. • This promised democracy, federalism, agrarian reform and worker’s rights • This plan declared war on the Diaz regime.

THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION 1910 -1920 • By 1911, Diaz is forced to step aside because Modero was the newly elected president • However, conflict and violence continued for the next decade because of leaders such as Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa. • These two influential leaders refused to submit to any presidential authority.

THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION 1910 -1920 • In 1913 after a series of bloody riots, Francisco Modero is overthrown. • He is overthrown by a coop led by his own military chief General Victoriano Huerta • Huerta declares himself dictator and has Modero murdered. • Huerta is finally forced to resign in 1814 as Carranza takes power • Villa and Sepata are still continuously waging war against Carranzq.

THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION 1910 -1920: INTRO TO WWI • From 1917 up until the murder of Zepata in 1919, Carranza grows increasingly cautious. • The following year Obregon is overthrown and killed by a group of his more radical generals.