Discuss the impact of the Mexican Revolution on land reform.

History The Mexican Revolution Questions Long



80 Short 80 Medium 48 Long Answer Questions Question Index

Discuss the impact of the Mexican Revolution on land reform.

The Mexican Revolution, which took place from 1910 to 1920, had a significant impact on land reform in Mexico. Prior to the revolution, the majority of land in Mexico was owned by a small elite class, including wealthy landowners, foreign investors, and the Catholic Church. This unequal distribution of land created widespread social and economic inequality, with the majority of the population living in poverty and working as peasants on large haciendas.

One of the main goals of the Mexican Revolution was to address this issue of land inequality and to provide land to the rural population. The revolutionaries sought to implement agrarian reforms that would redistribute land to the peasants and indigenous communities, with the aim of creating a more equitable society.

The most significant land reform measure implemented during the revolution was the promulgation of the Constitution of 1917. This constitution included Article 27, which declared that all land and natural resources within Mexico were the property of the nation. It also established the principle of ejidos, which were communal lands that were to be distributed to peasants and indigenous communities for their use and cultivation.

Under the ejido system, large haciendas were expropriated and divided into smaller plots that were distributed among the rural population. This allowed peasants to have access to land for farming and provided them with a means of subsistence. The ejido system also aimed to prevent the concentration of land ownership and to promote collective decision-making within the communities.

Furthermore, the Mexican government established the National Agrarian Commission (CNA) in 1926 to oversee the implementation of land reform policies. The CNA was responsible for surveying and distributing land, resolving land disputes, and providing technical assistance to farmers. It played a crucial role in ensuring the success of land reform efforts.

The impact of land reform on Mexican society was significant. It led to the creation of a large number of small-scale farmers who were able to cultivate their own land and improve their living conditions. The redistribution of land also helped to reduce rural poverty and inequality, as peasants gained access to resources and opportunities for economic development.

However, it is important to note that the implementation of land reform was not without challenges and limitations. The process of expropriating and redistributing land faced resistance from powerful landowners and foreign investors who were reluctant to give up their holdings. Additionally, the ejido system faced issues such as fragmentation of land, lack of access to credit and technical assistance, and inadequate infrastructure, which hindered the productivity and profitability of small-scale farming.

In conclusion, the Mexican Revolution had a profound impact on land reform in Mexico. Through the implementation of the Constitution of 1917 and the establishment of the ejido system, the revolution aimed to address the issue of land inequality and provide land to the rural population. While land reform led to positive changes in terms of reducing poverty and inequality, it also faced challenges and limitations. Nonetheless, the legacy of land reform in Mexico remains an important aspect of the country's history and continues to shape its agricultural sector.