“Social factors were more significant than political factors in the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the social and political causes of the Mexican Revolution. Though the weight may vary, there should be at least some discussion of both social and political causes and the focus should remain on factors that contributed to the outbreak of the revolution, rather than its continuance. Social factors that may be addressed include the issue of landlessness, poor living and working conditions in both rural and urban areas and the extreme social stratification of Mexico. Some candidates might argue that the social problems were in part due to rapid economic growth under Diaz, leading to inflation and the problems of rapid urbanization. Political factors that may be discussed include the lengthy tenure of Diaz and his failure to allow free elections, dissatisfaction with Diaz’s relationship to US and British business interests and the appeal of Madero’s Plan of San Luis Potosi.