The reasons for the revolution in 1910:

            Major disagreements between locals over the dictatorship of then president Porfirio Diaz who was in office for 32 years began the path towards the revolution. During his time in charge, power was only in the hands of a couple of people including Diaz and the people weren’t allowed to express political opinions or select their public officials. Despite the rise of a young group of leaders early in the 20^th century ready to resume a proper role in Mexican politics, Diaz and his officials denied them this chance by not allowing free elections and democracy by using their political power over the Mexican constitution. Francsico Madero became Diazs first rival and was a firm believer of democracy and eventually overthrew Diaz by restricting Diazs policies and finally becoming president in 1911. Diaz died in 1915.

  website used:www.mexconnect.com

What is the Mexican Revolution?

The original idea of the Mexican Revolution was to overthrow the Diaz regime. However, things spun totally out of control and the Mexican Revolution was a big arm struggle that went on from 1910 to around the 1920s. The people of Mexico had enough of the dictator Porfirio Diaz and tried to overthrow him. People from the lower working classes had a lot of reasons of rebelling against him like poor working conditions, low wages, and lots more… Men, women and children fought in this revolution, everyone took part in it. The Mexican Revolution was led by Francisco l. Madero who created the “Anti-reeleccionista” party.

Sources used: -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Revolution, http://www.mexconnect.com/en/articles/2824-the-mexican-revolution-1910,http://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/mcbride/ws200/mex-davi.htm,                      picture used: http://elomeli.bol.ucla.edu/MexRev1910.jpg

The oppression of Diaz

General Porfirio Diaz,  was not always labeled as a caudillo, a strong man who seizes power through force and maintains it through a system of bribing and corruption. He was once a national hero to the Mexican people, as he was the hero of the cinquo de mayo. Through his prestige he had accumulated much popular support, partly due to his mixed ethnicity and blood ties with native Mexicans. He was originally a pupil of Benito Juarez, but enticed by the possibility of being president, he decide to run against his mentor. His failure in the election was quickly followed by his coup for the presidency. It is his oppression that led to the revolution, which was supplemented by military dominance.

http://www.mexonline.com/history-porfiriodiaz.htm

The Murals

Years after the Mexican revolution many prominent Mexican artists and muralists sought to honour the sacrifice of the last generation. These artists painted a series of murals immortalizing the heroism, oppression and tradition of the Mexican people. The muralists have subsequently become house hold names and their work is honored by the Mexican people. Frieda Kahlo, José Orozco, Diego Riviera and David Sequeiros were the leaders of this nationalist artistic movement. The murals became so popular because it was easy for the public to relate to the events depicted in the paintings, with the revolution so fresh in their minds the art was more accessible. Solidarity, sacrifice, Celebration of Indian heritage and Marxism are a few of the core themes that appear in many of the pieces. Famous political figures such as Trotsky, Frieda Kahlo and Emiliano Zapata are painted into the murals to remind us of the actions of these important individuals.

Sources

·         http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/C20th/muralpaint.htm

·         http://www.wfu.edu/history/StudentWork/fysprojects/kmason/second.htm

·         http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/books/BID1487.htm