Obregon's presidencyObregon's presidency

Elected to office in special election, Elected to office in special election, assumes control in November 1920assumes control in November 1920

Pragmatic business approach to Pragmatic business approach to governmentgovernment

Sought accomodation with all Sought accomodation with all groups except reactionary clergy and groups except reactionary clergy and landlordslandlords

Modern version of "pan o palo”Modern version of "pan o palo”

Obregon's PoliciesObregon's Policies

Land reformLand reform LaborLabor EducationEducation IndigenismoIndigenismo U.S. relationshipU.S. relationship

Land ReformLand Reform Agrarian reform was useful safety Agrarian reform was useful safety

valve for peasant discontentvalve for peasant discontent Created national agrarian commission Created national agrarian commission

which oversaw state commissionswhich oversaw state commissions Power to expropriate hacendado land Power to expropriate hacendado land

for landless villagesfor landless villages Paid for with 20 year bondsPaid for with 20 year bonds Reform proceeded slowly due to:Reform proceeded slowly due to: Litigation by landlordsLitigation by landlords

Land Reform Land Reform (con’t)(con’t)

Armed resistance by landlordsArmed resistance by landlords Opposition by clergyOpposition by clergy 3 million acres distributed3 million acres distributed 320 million acres in hands of 320 million acres in hands of

hacendadoshacendados Even with land, failure occurred as Even with land, failure occurred as

government did not provide: seeds, government did not provide: seeds, tools, adequate credit or trainingtools, adequate credit or training

LaborLabor

Encouraged labor to organizeEncouraged labor to organize Confederacion Regional Obrera Confederacion Regional Obrera

Mexicana (CROM) - labor union headed Mexicana (CROM) - labor union headed by Luis Moronesby Luis Morones

Ties to Samuel Gompers and the AFL in Ties to Samuel Gompers and the AFL in the United Statesthe United States

Semi-official status, supported by the Semi-official status, supported by the governmentgovernment

Coopted by ObregonCoopted by Obregon

EducationEducation Jose Vasconcelos - Secretary of Jose Vasconcelos - Secretary of

EducationEducation Created new type of rural school, La Created new type of rural school, La

Casa del Pueblo (The House of the Casa del Pueblo (The House of the People)People)–Designed to serve all of villageDesigned to serve all of village–Three Rs, art, music, sports, theater, Three Rs, art, music, sports, theater,

instruction in sanitation and agricultureinstruction in sanitation and agriculture–Idealistic but at times unprepared Idealistic but at times unprepared

teachersteachers–Itinerant (wandering) teachers were sent Itinerant (wandering) teachers were sent

to train those in the villagesto train those in the villages

Education Education (con’t)(con’t)

Murals on public buildingsMurals on public buildings Conflict between new secular schools Conflict between new secular schools

and religious schoolsand religious schools–Priest denounced secular educationPriest denounced secular education

Obregon did not enforce Article 3 of Obregon did not enforce Article 3 of the Constitution (ban on religious the Constitution (ban on religious primary schools)primary schools)–In the absence of state resources better In the absence of state resources better

to be taught by priest than stay illiterateto be taught by priest than stay illiterate

IndigenismoIndigenismo Reassessment of Indian cultural heritage, Reassessment of Indian cultural heritage,

pushing the greatness of old Indian artspushing the greatness of old Indian arts Manuel Gamio - director of Office of Manuel Gamio - director of Office of

Anthropology (1st in Americas)Anthropology (1st in Americas) Study of TeotihuacanStudy of Teotihuacan Preserve & restore cultural heritagePreserve & restore cultural heritage Amass data for sound plan of economic Amass data for sound plan of economic

and social recoveryand social recovery Partisans of Revolution idealized Aztec Partisans of Revolution idealized Aztec

MexicoMexico

U.S. RelationshipU.S. Relationship

Problem with retroactivity of Article 27 Problem with retroactivity of Article 27 - Obregon will not openly state - Obregon will not openly state nonretroactivitynonretroactivity

U.S. withholds diplomatic recognition U.S. withholds diplomatic recognition of the Obregon governmentof the Obregon government

Obregon compromises Obregon compromises –threat of counterrevolutionary coup threat of counterrevolutionary coup

against selection of Plutarco Calles as against selection of Plutarco Calles as successorsuccessor

U.S. Relationship U.S. Relationship (con’t)(con’t)

Bucareli Agreement - August 1923 Bucareli Agreement - August 1923 –Obregon confirms nonretroactivityObregon confirms nonretroactivity

–U.S. gives formal recognition to U.S. gives formal recognition to Obregon governmentObregon government

Coup attempt - December 1923 Coup attempt - December 1923 –put down coup with military supplies put down coup with military supplies

purchased from the U.S.purchased from the U.S.

Calles' PresidencyCalles' Presidency

Dominates the next decade of Dominates the next decade of Mexican politicsMexican politics

Continued on foundations of Continued on foundations of ObregonObregon

Radical rhetoric - pragmatic Radical rhetoric - pragmatic policypolicy

Calles' Economic and Calles' Economic and Land PoliciesLand Policies

Rapid growth of national capitalismRapid growth of national capitalism Creation of National BankCreation of National Bank–strengthens fiscal/monetary policystrengthens fiscal/monetary policy

National Road Commission National Road Commission organizedorganized

National Electric Codes enactedNational Electric Codes enacted–stimulates growth of construction and stimulates growth of construction and

consumer goods industriesconsumer goods industries

Calles' Economic and Land Calles' Economic and Land Policies Policies (con’t)(con’t)

Aid given to industry (foreign and domestic)Aid given to industry (foreign and domestic)–protective tariffsprotective tariffs–subsidiessubsidies

Land reformLand reform–distribution increased from Obregondistribution increased from Obregon• over twice as much land distributed 8 million over twice as much land distributed 8 million

hectareshectares–problemsproblems• Hacendados were able to choose the land they Hacendados were able to choose the land they

gave up, most of it was not arablegave up, most of it was not arable• Calles did not provide tools or other items to make Calles did not provide tools or other items to make

the land productivethe land productive

Calles' Economic and Calles' Economic and Land Policies Land Policies (con’t(con’t

Government bank was created to lend money to Government bank was created to lend money to ejidos ejidos –4/5 of money went to the hacendados because of 4/5 of money went to the hacendados because of

superior credit ratingssuperior credit ratings Land reform judged a failure because the grain Land reform judged a failure because the grain

production of 1930 was below the production of production of 1930 was below the production of 19101910–Calles concluded peasant proprietorship was not Calles concluded peasant proprietorship was not

economically desirable and ended land redistributioneconomically desirable and ended land redistribution

LaborLabor Trade unions serve two purposesTrade unions serve two purposes–keep growing power of capitalism in keep growing power of capitalism in

checkcheck

–barricade in the event of attack on barricade in the event of attack on capitalistscapitalists

Labor began to split from CROM form Labor began to split from CROM form independent unionsindependent unions–disillusioned with corrupt leaders and disillusioned with corrupt leaders and

low wageslow wages

Conflict with U.S.Conflict with U.S.

Calles welcomed foreign capital but Calles welcomed foreign capital but believed that Mexico had the right to believed that Mexico had the right to regulate the conditions surrounding regulate the conditions surrounding itit

1925 dispute over land ownership1925 dispute over land ownership

Conflict with U.S. Conflict with U.S. (cont.)(cont.)

Mexican Congress passes laws Mexican Congress passes laws implementing Article 27implementing Article 27

–Oil ownership becomes a lease Oil ownership becomes a lease arrangementarrangement

• exchange title for 50 year exchange title for 50 year concession (lease agreement)concession (lease agreement)

• possible 30 year renewalpossible 30 year renewal

• possible further extensionpossible further extension

Mexican viewMexican view–Eliminated vagueness and Eliminated vagueness and gave oil companies firm titles. gave oil companies firm titles. Stopped calls for outright Stopped calls for outright nationalization of oilnationalization of oil

Oil Company viewOil Company view

–Law was confiscatory, they Law was confiscatory, they threatened to drill without threatened to drill without confirming concessionsconfirming concessions

Conflict with U.S. Conflict with U.S. (cont.)(cont.)

American hardliners were "saber American hardliners were "saber rattling"rattling"

American ambassador "there is little American ambassador "there is little white blood in Calle's government"white blood in Calle's government"

Secretary of State Kellog stated that Secretary of State Kellog stated that there were "Bolshevik aims in there were "Bolshevik aims in Mexico and Latin America"Mexico and Latin America"

Conflict with U.S. Conflict with U.S. (cont.)(cont.)

Intervention was stopped by Intervention was stopped by arguments from:arguments from:

–progressive senatorsprogressive senators

–press, church, academic groupspress, church, academic groups

–realization that war with Mexico realization that war with Mexico would have little national supportwould have little national support

Conflict with U.S. Conflict with U.S. (cont.)(cont.) Dwight Morrow appointed Ambassador to Dwight Morrow appointed Ambassador to

MexicoMexico Negotiated an understanding with Calles Negotiated an understanding with Calles

concerning the time limitation on concerning the time limitation on concessionsconcessions

Mexican Supreme Court ruled that aspect Mexican Supreme Court ruled that aspect of the law unconstitutionalof the law unconstitutional

Crisis was avertedCrisis was averted Law still provided for confirmatory Law still provided for confirmatory

concessions and reaffirmed national concessions and reaffirmed national ownership of the subsoilownership of the subsoil

Religious ConflictReligious Conflict Church v. modernizing thrust of the Church v. modernizing thrust of the

RevolutionRevolution• January 1926 the church heirarchy January 1926 the church heirarchy

disavowed the Constitutiondisavowed the Constitution

• Calles enforces dormant anti-clerical Calles enforces dormant anti-clerical clauses of the Constitutionclauses of the Constitution–Calles lawCalles law

• registration of priestsregistration of priests

• closing of all religious primary closing of all religious primary schoolsschools

Religious ConflictReligious Conflict

Church suspended all services in Church suspended all services in Mexico and boycotted all goods Mexico and boycotted all goods except necessitiesexcept necessities

Militant Catholics took up arms - Militant Catholics took up arms - Cristeros (Catholic guerrillas)Cristeros (Catholic guerrillas)

–government schools and young government schools and young teachers were targetsteachers were targets

–government repression was severegovernment repression was severe

Presidential Election 1928Presidential Election 1928

Deal between Calles and ObregonDeal between Calles and Obregon

–supporters in Congress change the supporters in Congress change the Constitution to allow former Constitution to allow former presidents to be reelected after one presidents to be reelected after one termterm

–term was extended from 4 to 6 yearsterm was extended from 4 to 6 years

Presidential Election 1928 Presidential Election 1928 (cont.)(cont.)

Two opponents for the office conspire Two opponents for the office conspire against Obregon and Callesagainst Obregon and Calles

–Calles has them arrested and shotCalles has them arrested and shot

–Obregon is elected, then three Obregon is elected, then three weeks later he is assassinated by a weeks later he is assassinated by a fanatical Cristero in Mexico Cityfanatical Cristero in Mexico City

Calles - "El jefe maximo"Calles - "El jefe maximo"

Calles places three different men in Calles places three different men in the office of president to fulfill the office of president to fulfill Obregon's term but he is the power Obregon's term but he is the power behind the office. Each one resigns behind the office. Each one resigns after displeasing "el jefe"after displeasing "el jefe"

Military uprising is crushed in 1929, Military uprising is crushed in 1929, the "last hurrah" of the military the "last hurrah" of the military caudilloscaudillos

National Revolutionary Party (PNR)National Revolutionary Party (PNR)

Calles institutionalizes the rule of the Calles institutionalizes the rule of the "revolutionary family" (military and "revolutionary family" (military and political leaders since 1920)political leaders since 1920)

Under different names this party has Under different names this party has been ruling Mexico since 1929. been ruling Mexico since 1929.

Their official presidential candidate Their official presidential candidate had never lost until the election of had never lost until the election of Vincente Fox in 2000.Vincente Fox in 2000.

National Revolutionary Party (PNR)National Revolutionary Party (PNR) After consolidating power the After consolidating power the

"revolutionary family" turns conservative"revolutionary family" turns conservative–shift concides with beginning of the shift concides with beginning of the Great DepressionGreat Depression

By 1933 a progressive wing of PNR By 1933 a progressive wing of PNR emerges with General Lazaro Cardenas emerges with General Lazaro Cardenas as leader of the reformersas leader of the reformers–has been a part of the inner circle of has been a part of the inner circle of the partythe party–1930 was named Party Chairmen1930 was named Party Chairmen

National Revolutionary Party (PNR)National Revolutionary Party (PNR)

1934 elections Cardenas is nominated 1934 elections Cardenas is nominated by the Party ( with Calles blessing) for by the Party ( with Calles blessing) for the presidencythe presidency

–seen as a concession to reformers in seen as a concession to reformers in the partythe party

–Calles thought he would remain loyalCalles thought he would remain loyal

–cabinet was hand picked by Callescabinet was hand picked by Calles

Cardenas' ProgramsCardenas' Programs

Established a Six Year PlanEstablished a Six Year Plan Mexican Revolution continues under Mexican Revolution continues under

CardenasCardenas Established a spirit of service in the Established a spirit of service in the

bureaucracybureaucracy Closed down the gambling housesClosed down the gambling houses Cut his own salary in 1/2Cut his own salary in 1/2

Agrarian ReformAgrarian Reform Land distribution on large scaleLand distribution on large scale Ejido was the focal point of agrarian Ejido was the focal point of agrarian

reformreform

–land given to both the ejido (communal) land given to both the ejido (communal) and the rancho (individual land)and the rancho (individual land)

–where appropriate large collective farms where appropriate large collective farms were establishedwere established

–government provided seeds, machinery government provided seeds, machinery and creditand credit

Agrarian ReformAgrarian Reform (cont.) (cont.) 45 million acres of land distributed45 million acres of land distributed productivity was increasedproductivity was increased Structural defects of reformsStructural defects of reforms–conceived to satisfy land hunger conceived to satisfy land hunger instead of real agricultural developmentinstead of real agricultural development–ejidal parcel was very smallejidal parcel was very small–land distributed was often of poor land distributed was often of poor qualityquality–technical assistance was often technical assistance was often inadequateinadequate

Labor ReformLabor Reform

Corrupts leaders are removedCorrupts leaders are removed

Confederacion de Trobajadores Confederacion de Trobajadores Mexicanos (CTM) replaces CROMMexicanos (CTM) replaces CROM

Strikes supported by government Strikes supported by government (where appropriate)(where appropriate)

Fall of CallesFall of Calles All of these actions angered Calles, he All of these actions angered Calles, he

begin to plot against Cardenasbegin to plot against Cardenas Cardenas calls for the resignation of Cardenas calls for the resignation of

the cabinet and forms and new Anti - the cabinet and forms and new Anti - Calles cabinetCalles cabinet

By 1935 Cardenas is the master of By 1935 Cardenas is the master of Mexico. Mexico.

1936 Calles is deported for "plotting 1936 Calles is deported for "plotting against the government"against the government"

PRM - Party of the Mexican PRM - Party of the Mexican RevolutionRevolution

Cardenas reorganized and Cardenas reorganized and purged the party of Calles purged the party of Calles influence. influence.

It emerges as the PRMIt emerges as the PRM The three pillars of this party The three pillars of this party

are labor, the peasantry and the are labor, the peasantry and the army.army.

First populist leaderFirst populist leader

Oil CrisisOil Crisis

American and British oil companies American and British oil companies v. workers unionsv. workers unions

Strike leads to arbitrationStrike leads to arbitration Arbitration finding is scaled down Arbitration finding is scaled down

from original union demands but the from original union demands but the companies refuse to settlecompanies refuse to settle

March 18, 1938 Cardenas March 18, 1938 Cardenas nationalized the oil companiesnationalized the oil companies

Oil Crisis Oil Crisis (cont.)(cont.)

Economic IndependenceEconomic Independence Action was not a precedent, 90% of Action was not a precedent, 90% of

mining was still in foreign handsmining was still in foreign hands U.S. took no strong action due to U.S. took no strong action due to

–Good Neighbor Policy being in Good Neighbor Policy being in effect under Franklin Roosevelteffect under Franklin Roosevelt

–Ambassador to Mexico understood Ambassador to Mexico understood Cardenas policy and reasonsCardenas policy and reasons

Oil Crisis Oil Crisis (cont.)(cont.)

Timing of the move was also Timing of the move was also fortunatefortunate

–War in Europe was loomingWar in Europe was looming

–Cardenas announced Cardenas announced Mexico would pay all just Mexico would pay all just claimsclaims

Cardenas’ Presidency was Cardenas’ Presidency was the highwater mark for the the highwater mark for the

reform movementreform movement

In 1940 election, Avila In 1940 election, Avila Camancho, loyal to Cardenas but Camancho, loyal to Cardenas but more conservative, was elected more conservative, was elected

presidentpresident