In pairs, discuss and plan the following question:

‘Porfirio Díaz unleashed the Mexican Revolution.’

To what extent do you agree with this question?

Click on the eye below for hints

Intro: You will need to set out the context (briefly) to evaluate the extent to which Díaz was responsible for the start of revolution in Mexico. You should also mention other contributing factors to be developed in the essay.

For the argument that Díaz unleashed the revolution

• The centralised government did not allow the participation of new political actors. You could also refer to the fact that Díaz and his inner circle were getting very old and there was uncertainty as to his succession. Mention of high levels of corruption would also be relevant.
• Although Mexico was a federal state, Díaz ruled centrally. The executive power dominated over the legislative and the judicial.
• Díaz responded to the demands of peasants and workers in the context of the economic recession of 1907 with violent repression.

For the argument against:

• The emergence of leaders with different ideologies and aims competing for power contributed to the revolution.
• Madero’s reluctance to make profound changes quickly contributed to unrest, e.g. rebellions by Zapata and Orozco.
• The role of USA: e.g., their initial support of Madero followed by their support of Huerta ‘s rebellion against Madero.
• The fact that the federal army betrayed Madero. You may also consider Huerta’s own betrayal.

Conclusion:  Make sure you reach a conclusion based on the weight of your argument in the main body of your essay.

Consider the following essay question:

Evaluate the role of the “rise of expectations” in the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

Below you will find an introduction and a series of paragraphs for this essay question written by different students.

Look at the introduction

Which bit of this introduction gives contextual background to the question? (highlight in one colour.  Is there enough background – is there anything you would add or change?)

Where does the introduction link directly to the question to show the reader that they are going to be specifically answering this question? (highlight in a different colour)

Now look at paragraphs 1, 2 and 3

1. Highlight the opening sentences to these paragraphs.

Do they act as a ‘signpost’ for the rest of the paragraph? (i.e. can you tell what the paragraph is going to be about?) Do they link back to the wording of the question?

2. Do the paragraphs give detailed evidence to support the argument made in the opening sentence? Give examples

3. Is too much detail given as evidence in places or is it too generalised/inaccurate? Highlight any issues with the evidence

4. Does the final sentence of each paragraph come back to the question and restate the argument being made?

Now look at paragraph 4

In pairs, discuss how this paragraph could be improved and rewrite it bearing in mind the points made above.

Introduction:

In 1910, president Porfirio Díaz, who had been in power since 1876, was overthrown in Mexico. This crisis gave rise to one of the most critical periods in Mexican history, the Mexican Revolution. A wide range of factors led to the outbreak of the revolution. Revolution was a response to Díaz´s dictatorial, repressive and corrupt government and of his policies.

But it was also a response to significant social changes. A new generation of young middle-class citizens emerged. They demanded political participation and a voice in social and economic matters.

Paragraph 1

Porfirio Díaz´s regime brought peace and stability to Mexico for the first time since independence. In this context, great economic progress was achieved. Mexico was industrialised. Foreign capital invested in railways, electrical companies and telegraphs which modernised the country. Mexico gained access to international markets and, because of increasing exports, was able to pay its foreign debt. As a result of this, a new middle class, with demands of their own, emerged in the country.

Paragraph 2

This middle class expected to gain and exercise their political and social rights. However, the executive power, in the hands of Díaz and his group of “científicos”, limited the opportunities for the rising bourgeoisie to take part in political life. Their expectations to enter parliament and have a say in political decisions were ignored. Members of parliament, governors and administrative posts at different levels were held by Porfirian politicians. Also, businessmen and professionals resented the economic privileges the government offered foreign businessmen over Mexicans. They began to question Díaz’s and to demand an end to his indefinite re-elections. In this context, a new generation of young leaders emerged. One of such leaders was Francisco I. Madero. He decided to run for president in the 1910 elections, claiming that it was time that Díaz allowed a younger generation to rule the nation. He received immense popular support. After Díaz imprisoned Madero to prevent his elections, Madero fled to the US and called for an insurrection against Díaz.

Paragraph 3

Other factors played a role in the outbreak of revolution. One of such factors was the international economic crisis of 1907 which had a negative impact on Mexican economy. It caused inflation and unemployment. This led to strikes and demonstrations which were faced with repression and violence by the government. This contributed to the unpopularity of Díaz among the urban workers.

Paragraph 4

The outbreak of the revolution was also caused by Díaz’s policies towards the peasantry. The president had passed legislation enabling the purchase of land which did not have legal owners. This caused millions of indigenous people and peasants to lose the lands, as they had no deed of property to demonstrate ownership. During Díaz’s regime almost 90% of the land was owned by less than 1000 families. This led to the rise of some caudillos, such as Pancho Villa in the north and Emiliano Zapata in the south, who challenged Díaz and demanded an agrarian reform.

Plan in pairs and then draft independently the following essay:

“A “rebellion” rather than a “revolution” is a more accurate description of the Mexican Revolution Mexico between 1911 and 1923.”

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Note that the command term is “To what extent”. Thus, you will need to set your essay up to support the assertion i.e. it was a rebellion and then set down counter-claims to fully address the question. You will also need to provide definitions of “rebellion” and “revolution” to show why they are different from one another.

The main structure of your answer will be as follows. In pairs work out what you might include in your introduction and in the main body of your essay. Then you can click on the eye for more ideas.
 

In pairs draft a detailed essay plan for the following question:

To what extent were the aims of the Mexican Revolution achieved by 1940?

You can use the essay chart below to get you started.