Post-Revolutionary State (1920–1940) Notes

Background

1. After a decade of civil war (1910–1920), Mexico faced the immense challenge of rebuilding a nation devastated by revolution.
2. The revolution’s ideals i.e.land reform, labor rights, education, and national sovereignty had to be translated into institutions.
3. From 1920 to 1940, leaders such as Álvaro Obregón, Plutarco Elías Calles, and their successors (during the Maximato) worked to consolidate political authority, modernize the economy, and stabilize a fractured society.
4. Their efforts laid the foundations of the post-revolutionary state that would dominate Mexican politics for the rest of the 20th century.

Álvaro Obregón (1920–1924): Reconstruction and Reconciliation

1. Political Reconciliation
   1. After the chaos of the revolution, Obregón prioritized national unity. He offered amnesty to former enemies, integrated rival military factions, and reestablished relations with the U.S. through the Bucareli Agreements (1923).
2. Education Reform
   1. Appointed José Vasconcelos as Minister of Education, who expanded rural schools, promoted literacy campaigns, and used art and murals to instill revolutionary values and national identity.
3. Land Reform
   1. Distributed about 1 million hectares of land, though implementation was cautious and uneven.
4. Labor Policy
   1. Supported the Confederación Regional Obrera Mexicana (CROM), aligning with organized labor to stabilize industrial relations.
5. Outcome
   1. Obregón’s presidency achieved relative stability and began rebuilding state institutions but relied on military patronage to maintain order.

Plutarco Elías Calles (1924–1928): Institutionalization and Conflict

1. Political Vision
   1. Calles sought to create a modern, secular, and institutional state governed by law rather than personal power. Known as “El Jefe Máximo,” he emphasized state control and economic modernization.
2. Economic Policy
   1. Introduced the Banco de México (1925) to stabilize the currency and regulate banking. Encouraged industrial growth and protected national sovereignty through limited state intervention.
3. Labor and Peasant Policy
   1. Supported moderate land redistribution but confronted radical peasant movements.
4. Anticlericalism and Conflict
   1. Enforced the anticlerical articles of the 1917 Constitution (especially Article 130), restricting Church privileges and leading to the Cristero War (1926–1929), a bloody Catholic uprising.
5. Political Legacy
   1. After the assassination of President-elect Obregón in 1928, Calles created the Partido Nacional Revolucionario (PNR, 1929) to institutionalize revolutionary power and prevent future caudillo conflicts.

The Maximato (1929–1934) : Calles’s Shadow Rule

1. Context
   1. Following Obregón’s death, Calles became Mexico’s de facto ruler, known as the “Jefe Máximo” (Supreme Chief). He handpicked presidents Emilio Portes Gil (1928–1930), Pascual Ortiz Rubio (1930–1932), and Abelardo L. Rodríguez (1932–1934) while controlling policy behind the scenes.
2. Political Institutionalization
   1. The PNR centralized power and reduced the influence of regional military leaders, marking the transition from revolutionary caudillos to a party-based political system.
3. Economic Policies
   1. Promoted industrialization, foreign investment, and limited land redistribution. Infrastructure projects expanded, but the Great Depression (1929) hit export sectors hard.
4. Social Policies
   1. Sought reconciliation with the Church after the Cristero War; initiated modest education reforms but emphasized order over inclusion.
5. Outcome
   1. The Maximato stabilized Mexico politically but was characterized by authoritarian control and elite dominance. Its end came when Lázaro Cárdenas (1934), a former ally, asserted independence and exiled Calles in 1936.Challenges to the Post-Revolutionary State
6. Regional Resistance
   1. Continued uprisings in rural areas reflected lingering social inequality.
7. Church-State Conflict
   1. Anticlerical policies alienated rural Catholics and fueled the Cristero War.
8. Economic Instability
   1. Reliance on foreign trade and investment made Mexico vulnerable to global downturns.
9. Ideological Divisions
   1. Reformists, conservatives, and radicals debated the meaning of the revolution, whether it should prioritize order, redistribution, or nationalism.
10. Personal Power vs. Institutions
    1. The transition from military caudillos to civilian bureaucrats was incomplete, as personal influence still overshadowed democratic institutions.

Assessment of Impact

Achievements

1. Rebuilt political stability after a decade of chaos.
2. Created enduring institutions: Banco de México (1925), PNR (1929), and national education programs.
3. Strengthened state sovereignty and centralized authority under civilian control.
4. Laid the foundation for Mexico’s one-party system, which maintained stability for much of the 20th century.
5. Promoted a national cultural identity through education and muralism.

Failures / Limitations

1. Land reform remained incomplete; rural inequality persisted.
2. Overcentralization produced authoritarian tendencies under the PNR.
3. Church–state relations remained tense.
4. Limited social mobility for Indigenous and peasant populations despite revolutionary rhetoric.