Evaluate the impact of the Mexican Revolution on women.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of the Mexican Revolution on women, weighing up its strengths and limitations. Candidates may refer to their incorporation, voluntary or compulsory, as soldiers. Known as soldaderas; women took part in the fighting and also provided a range of services like foraging, food preparation, arms smuggling and nursing. Candidates may also refer to the impact of the revolution on women’s work since it affected industrial production: causing factory closures and wage reductions. The revolution also pushed women to participate in mutual aid societies, mobilizations and strikes across the region of Mexico City. The recognition gained by women during the Revolution led to the celebration of the first feminist congress in 1916 with the aim of promoting women’s right to vote. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example, president Carranza’s new Law of Family Relations that gave married women new rights: allowing for paternity suits (previously forbidden) and the recognition of illegitimate children; or the Constitution of 1917 that incorporated a number of laws to protect working mothers and their children. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates make an appraisal of the impact of the Mexican Revolution on women. It was addressed by several candidates with varied levels of performance. A few responses contained adequate detail, breadth and included some critical commentaries. Other responses focused only on the soldaderas.