The Mexican Revolution: A Short History, 1910 – 1920

 

The Mexican Revolution: A Short History, 1910 – 1920 by Stuart Easterling

If you’re like me and know basically nothing about the history of early 20^th century Mexico, this book is a perfect place to start.  At only 144 pages, this book doesn’t go deep nor does it claim that it has any intentions to do so. In many ways you could argue this is a “Cliffs Notes” account of these turbulent years. If one is left wanting more once they have completed this book, there are several other deeper volumes they can pursue.  I suspect that this is precisely what will happen.  Author Stuart Easterling does a great job of being brief, yet thorough.  Many appetites will be whetted after this brief, well-taught history lesson.

As I said, I knew essentially nothing about Mexican history.  I’ve heard the name Pancho Villa, and I remember Marlon Brando played Emiliano Zapata in an early 1950s acclaimed film (that I haven’t seen), but that’s about it.  I had never heard the names Porfirio Diaz, Francisco Madero, Victoriano Huerto, Venustiano Carranza, or Alvaro Obregon.  I now know who each of these individuals were, as well as a brief overview of their place in Mexico’s tempestuous history.

Without going into much detail, Mexico is a very corrupt nation at the turn of the 20^th century. Porfirio Diaz serves an unprecedented seven terms as President from 1876 to 1911.  How does one serve seven consecutive terms as President?  Well, it’s quite easy in a country such as this.  Those in power are few, yet know how to wield that power to keep the masses subjugated and starving.  Dishonesty and rigged elections are a simple fact of an incredibly unpleasant life in this country.  Well, as is the case with many places such as this, the anger amongst the masses can only fester so long before the pot explodes, and this is exactly what happens in 1910.

Unfortunately, revolutions are never easy.  Sometimes one thinks that all a country needs to do is oust a crooked leader, install a virtuous one in his place, and the entire country can end up looking like the state of Vermont after a few years.  Learned historians will tell you this is never the case.

So although Diaz is ousted by the masses and replaced by level headed Franciso Madero, it’s not enough for many. Fighting, disagreements, egos, and the wounded pride of the famished people prevail, and the next ten years are a series of one upheaval after another with a lot of respected leaders either being shot or exiled.  In fact, one would argue that Mexico continued its chaotic state for about the next thirty years (until World War II). However, author Easterling wisely stops his narrative where he does and makes his point clear.  He does give an “afterward” of the years following 1920, but again, his overall intention seems to be to keep his account brief.

After I finished this book, I wished that I could easily find a similar book on many countries and cultures where I know little about the history. This book was a great introduction and can easily be read in a few sittings.