The Mexican Revolution: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #459

by Alan Knight

The Mexican Revolution defined the sociopolitical experience of those living in Mexico in the twentieth century. Its subsequent legacy has provoked debate between those who interpret the ongoing myth of the Revolution and those who adopt the more middle-of-the-road reality of the regime after 1940.

Taking account of these divergent interpretations, this Very Short Introduction offers a succinct narrative and analysis of the Revolution. Using carefully considered sources, Alan Knight addresses the causes of the upheaval, before outlining the armed conflict between 1910 and 1920, explaining how a durable regime was consolidated in the 1920s, and summing up the social reforms of the Revolution, which culminated in the radical years of the 1930s. Along the way, Knight places the conflict alongside other 'great' revolutions, and compares Mexico with the Latin American countries that avoided the violent upheaval.

ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, World History

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covered in the first edition of the legendary Demand Gen VSI bookclub, this is an enlightening and accessible account of the numerous struggles and conflicts that comprise the Mexican Revolution, a period of history that I had never previously touched upon. Covering the conservatism and oppressive stability of Porfirio, Madero's failed constitutionalist middle ground, and the more revolutionary ways of Zapata and co, I found Knight's introduction engaging and easy to read throughout. More could be said of the plight of the Chinese community in Mexico (but I guess this was restricted by its format), while the structure veers from chronological to thematic towards the end, but overall a hugely enjoyable and informative start to the book club.

[Carol Bonigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a “very short history” it felt long AF. I’d like to learn more about this subject, but good gravy I don’t enjoy academicese.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy to buy a textbook for class and actually be assigned every page

[Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of the Mexican Revolution of the 1900s from the Porfiriato regime. Very academic tone, focuses more on the policies of the series of men in power rather than the fighting that led them there and later toppled them. More of a political/cultural history book than military history.

[Cold · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are often disorienting, as the author gives up on writing a comprehensive intro and instead focuses on their specific research interests. They justify this by claiming "well a complete intro in 120 pages is impossible". The book does well commercially because OUP has such a strong brand with this series.

Knight doesn't do this. He does focus on his areas of perspective, a material analysis underpinning the political history. But he bristles with authors who complain that the revolution is "complex", which he says is blindingly obvious. He avoids this by walking a pretty delicate line, distilling general trends where he can and acknowledging regional differences where he can't.

I loved it. His material analysis really captures the driving force in this history. The revolution was primarily a rural revolt, and the Urban progressives never really fought in the revolution.. although they later benefitted by setting up labour movements. He acknowledges that the various revolutionary factions, putting aside Maduro, were largely similar. They all had varying degrees of commitment to land reform, to labour law reform, but also were pragmatic about the economy and links to the US. He asks many interesting questions about what might've gone differently had another faction won.. but concludes it would have been mostly similar anyway.

He's very fair on the role of the US. They intervened at various points, but not to the extent that conspiracists make out. In fact, the US was pretty permissive given the revolution ended up with land reform and oil industry nationalisation, which often hurt American business. This was largely because the US was concerned with wars in Europe and beyond, plus also FDR being a leftist.

A truly great history given the constraints. Well done Alan Knight.

[Thomas Hanslowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it is relatively dry, I thought this book was an excellent, concise overview of a very complex history that was accessible to someone who knows very little about Mexican history. Knight is a serious scholar on the subject and his writing is clear and easy to follow. He goes through the Porfiriado and the first phase of armed conflict, which ends in the liberal democracy of Moderno’s brief presidency. This doesn’t last long as the agrarian forces such as the Zapatistas continue fighting for land reform, undermining Moderno who is taken out in a military coup and replaced by Huerta, and so on. Knight also goes over the radical reforms in the decades following the armed revolution, including Catholic revolt over an increasingly anticlerical secular society, a leftist turn during the Depression, and the eventual mellowing of the revolution and turn toward neoliberalism in the latter part of the twentieth century. A solid primer on the topic.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"France, 1798; China, 1911; Russia, 1917: in each case, a major revolution began"
Apart from this unforgivable first sentence, a good overview.
Seriously, any high school freshman knows France started their revolution in 1789.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to the Mexican Revolution.

[Yasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short and condensed history of the Mexican Revolution. Made for a good read.

[Jeff Mattison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pithy and academic. Sometimes necessary but a hard intro to a big subject.

[Monica St. Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

fifty two book club challenge 2021: read a book that includes a historical event you know little about

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good primer. Women barely appear tho and the book is in need of copyediting.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short introduction from a tremendous scholar.

[Abhishek Kona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the Mexican revolution and how Mexico is today. Good map to all the main characters of the revolution.

[Malloy Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Dense with information, as expected of a short introductory piece. The writing style is academic and dry.

[Drew Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I was looking for. And, accidentally, a book sure to encourage any despondent American re: their nation’s political prospects.

[Mont Lloyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

In depth account, at times a bit dry and distant from a history with so many rich and dramatic stories.

[Stan Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Detailed Overview

A good starting place for your plunge into the fascinating history of the revolution. Many issues then in Mexico are yet issues in the US.

[Ximena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always found it hard to study and to follow certain aspects of the Mexican Revolution. How could it be that after the treason and side shifting, all the characters could remain heroes? But once stripped of sentimental nationalism, history begins to make sense.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivered on the title. It was excellent, if very short, introduction to the Mexican Revolution. I highly recommend this for anyone trying to get a basic sense for how this complex and multifaceted period played out.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Overview

This short volume is well constructed. It's particularly strong in the background and tumultuous early years of the Mexican Revolution.