Putting the State Back Together Angel Castillo

What were the key reasons for the Constitutionalist victory over the Conventionists? In what ways did factionalism still plague the Constitutionalist coalition during and after the negotiations that resulted in the Constitution of 1917? How was Alvaro Obregón able to successfully consolidate power in the early 1920s? What were the main issues he had to overcome? Would you argue that the Revolution had come to a close with his administration? Why or why not?

A key reason that the Constituionalsts was that they were able to unite their forces against the Conventionists and establish themselves as in control. They had a wide array of support from key figures such as Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, Venustiano Carranza, and Alvaro Obregon. Too many people wanted too many different things when Huerta was outed by the Constitutionalist forces. After their common enemy was gone, the question was who would lead this new government. Carranza took power for a brief while but Obregon took power shorty after him.

A way that Obregon was able to successfully consolidate power in the 1920's was that he was able to successfully fulfill the promises he made to the right people when he came into power. He was also able to amass a powerful ally base duriong the elections by allying with politicians who fell out of favor with President Carranza, it was with their support he was able to become president in 1919. His name recognition being a war hero certainly helped his his support from the general populace as well.

I would argue that the revolution did come to a close with his administration. The various loose ends of the revolution were tied up during his tenure as President. Those who could have opposed him seriously such as Pancho Villa were convinced by members of his administration to lay down their arms and retire [2]. Obregon was also able to get a tighter grip on foreign business in his country, making deals that resulted in them paying higher taxes. With the way Obregon was able to put down De La Huerta's rebellion and the assassination of Pancho Villa, I think that the government that he helped build would symbolize the end of the revolution in Mexico.


[1] Gonzales, Michael J. The Mexican Revolution 1910-1940. University of New Mexico Press. 2002. 192
[2] Gonzales 199

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