Recently, my Netflix algorithm has introduced some Spanish-language content, including a historical fiction based in Mexico. Despite being our next door neighbors, I realized I was a little foggy on the details of the Mexican revolution. To better follow the story, I dug into the history behind the drama. 

Like the United States, modern Mexico began with colonization by Europe. Unlike the U.S., their road to democracy was longer and bloodier. While Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, it spent decades fighting the United States over land and the French over money.

The leader that started a serious backlash amongst its own populace was Porfirio Díaz at the end of the 19th century. He had favored the wealthy industrialists and landowners while the peasants who worked the land were oppressed. Instead of farming for themselves, they were forced to grow cash crops that were exported making the landowners rich while leaving the peasants nearly starving. 

After thirty years in power, a liberal named Francisco Madero challenged Díaz. In 1910 there was supposed to be a free election, but the challenger was tossed into jail and the dictator announced he had won 99% of the vote. Madero escaped to the U.S. where he wrote a fiery complaint and the people pushed back with the aid of armed insurgents. Madero took office after six months. Unfortunately for the majority, things did not change much, as he too favored the wealthy elite, murdered his opponents and burned villages.

One revolt after another followed. Each regional rebel leader was worse than before. Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa and others fought their way into leadership over the next several years. The recurring issue became the failure to achieve actual change once in power. Some drank too much and others spent all their energy killing off their enemies. After nearly a decade of civil war, Mexico established a constitution in 1917 that protected workers’ rights, limited the power of the Catholic Church, and allowed the government to redistribute land.

My thoughts on this history is that it’s easier to break something old than create something new, and you can’t build a society with guns. People who use the crimes of others to gain power, can also end up doing the same unless there are strict laws to limit their power. While everyone wants to rule, few have the patience to thoughtfully govern.

As Americans, it’s important to not only learn from our own story, but the lessons from our neighbors. We should never take our rights and freedoms for granted.