Topic Abstract JCC: the Mexican Revolution: Los Revolucionarios, 1910
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Topic Abstract JCC: The Mexican Revolution: Los Revolucionarios, 1910 Historical Crisis | Washington, D.C. | February 11-14, 2021 A Georgetown International Relations Association, Inc. Conference Dear Delegates and Advisors, Greetings from NAIMUN LVIII! The staff has been working hard to make the conference the most rewarding and educational experience yet, and we are excited to welcome you all to D.C. in February! This document is the topic abstract for JCC: The Mexican Revolution: Los Revolucionarios, 1910. It contains three key elements to allow you to prepare well in advance for the committee: topic descriptions, questions to consider, and research avenues. This abstract will give you a better understanding of the committee’s content and procedures, and it can act as a starting point for further research. We hope to be of assistance to you in your preparation for NAIMUN LVIII. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the Secretary- General, Director-General, or your Under-Secretaries-General. You may also contact your dais directly at [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming you to the NAIMUN family! Best, Alexander Chen Sanjna Jain Secretary-General Director-General [email protected] [email protected] Mags Glass Tasha Januszewicz Under-Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General, Historical Crisis Historical Crisis [email protected] [email protected] Topic Abstract | naimun.modelun.org | 2 What is a Crisis Committee? Crisis Committees are markedly different from both GAs and ECOSOCs. They tend to focus on specific issues, geographic areas, and historical periods. For example, the Court of Louis XIV, 1665 simulates the peak years of King Louis XIV in power, tackling issues from the international expansion of the French empire to developing domestic institutions. In essence, crisis committees have a narrower and more specific focus, while GAs and ECOSOCs focus on broad global concepts and issues. Crisis committees also have the distinguishing characteristic of portfolio powers, where delegates have and can use individual powers that are part of their bio in order to shape the “world” they interact in. Crisis committees also include crisis updates, which are unplanned “crises” that delegates must resolve through debate and directives. Last, crisis committees are the smallest of committees, usually with less than 30 delegates per committee. They tend to be faster-paced and more dynamic than assemblies with set topics. Adapted from “NAIMUN Delegate Training Guide” Topics Overview This committee must achieve two goals: accomplishing the overthrow of the government of Porfirio Diaz, while also establishing a new vision for Mexico. Guiding Questions 1. What members are in this committee and what role do they play in relation to the topics discussed? 2. What is the role of key groups like Los Revolucionarios in the revolution? 3. Given the fluid nature of the committee, what are its substantive powers? Los Revolucionarios, 1910| naimun.modelun.org | 3 Topic A: Unifying Revolutionary Ideology In building a future for Mexico, Los Revolucionarios must decide on a common set of beliefs that can bring their followers together and allow them to overthrow the Díaz regime. While the different revolutionary leaders may disagree on issues like land and labor reform, each wants to establish a new democracy in Mexico. Los Revolucionarios consist of members of the Maderistas, Zapatistas, Villistas, Magonistas, and Carrancistas, with each faction holding a unique vision for Mexico that cannot be ignored. Historically, the ideologies of the revolution were shaped by two important documents- -the Plan de San Luis Potosí and the Plan de Ayala. Written by Francisco I. Madero during his escape to San Antonio, the Plan of San Luis Potosi called for the people of Mexico to rise up against Díaz and fight for democratic principles after he rigged the Election of 1910. However, Madero did not address land or labor reform, two major social issues in Mexico.1 Thus, the document came to represent the ideologies of more conservative revolutionaries such as the Maderistas and the Carrancistas, who called for liberal democractic principles but not radical social reforms. In contrast, the Plan de Ayala, written by Emiliano Zapata, called for radical agrarian redistribution and labor reform for poor Mexicans, thus representing the more radical ideologies of the revolution embodied by the Zapatistas and the Villistas.2 Although most of the revolutionary sentiments can be represented by these documents, some groups, such as the anarchist Magonistas and various Catholic groups, had more unique ideologies. Each of these groups has followers and issues of importance to them, and their leaders must work to unify their plans for Mexico if they wish to overthrow Porfirio Díaz. Questions to Consider for Further Research 1. What were the main goals of each revolutionary movement, and how were they distinct from each other? 2. Which groups of Mexicans does each ideology represent? 3. How can compromise among the revolutionary leaders strengthen the Revolution? 1 “Plan de San Luis Potosí,” Distant Neighbors (Hispanic Reading Room), Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/mexico/planslp.html, accessed June 3, 2020. 2 Emiliano Zapata, “Plan de Ayala,” Modern Latin America, Brown Library, https://library.brown. edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-3-mexico/primary-documents-with-accompanying-dis- cussion-questions/document-6-plan-de-ayala-emilio-zapata-191/, accessed June 3, 2020. Topic Abstract | naimun.modelun.org | 4 Topic B: Establishing a Democracy Despite competing ideologies, Los Revolucionarios all hold a vision for a democratic Mexico. They will be challenged to write a constitution for Mexico that will set up frameworks for legislation and leadership, as well as the personal, political, and social rights of the Mexican people. After the liberation of Mexico from Spanish imperial rule, the Constitution of 1824 was drafted. As the first constitution drafted without foreign influence, the Constitution of 1824 created a federal republic. However, after the tumult of the early 19th century in Mexico, including the Mexican-American War and the political dominance of Santa Anna, a new constitution was drafted. During La Reforma, a period led by intellectuals, the constitution aimed to remove imperial remnants in the previous constitution, including separation of church and state and establishment of a consistent system of justice nationwide.3 The Mexican transition to modern democracy began with the creation of the Constitution of 1917, which serves as the foundation for the Mexican government to this day. After the military victory of Carranza and the Constitutionalists, a constituent congress, composed primarily of middle-class Carrancistas, met to draft the constitution of Mexico. Despite years of revolution for political reform and some true liberal reforms to the Mexican government, with regards to democracy, the Constitution of 1917 was largely just a rewording of the earlier Constitution of 1857.4 Ultimately, although marking the end of the Porfiriato, the Constitution of 1917 brought little promised political change of the Revolution. However, as delegates amidst the beginning turmoil of the Revolution, you have the opportunity to change this timeline—how will you determine Questions to Consider for Further Research 1. How does Mexico’s political history impact future possibilities of democracy? 2. In what ways does the Constitution of 1917 fail to produce a stable democracy in Mexico? 3. How can the Constitution and political leadership be changed to bring about a functional democracy in Mexico? 3 Henry Bamford Parkes, Gordon R. Wiley, et al., “Mexico,” Encyclopædia Britannica, published May 29, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/place/Mexico/Independence, accessed June 3, 2020. 4 Alan Knight, The Mexican Revolution, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1990. Los Revolucionarios, 1910| naimun.modelun.org | 5 Topic C: Gaining Legitimacy With the Porfiriatoin power for over two decades, Los Revolucionarios have the difficult task of not only removing the deeply-entrenched establishment of power, but also gaining the support of the Mexican people in order to realize their political visions. The early sparks of revolution began when Diaz called for political reform and democratization in 1908. In a widely publicized interview, Diaz announced he would consider not running for president in 1910; however, he would change his mind and run for president for the seventh time.5 In a hotly contested election against Francisco I. Madero, Diaz won amidst accusations of widespread election fraud. During his brief exile in the United States, Madero published the Plan of San Luis Potosi which called for the restoration of the Constitution of 1857 and limits on government power.6 Despite his weakening government, the United States supported the Diaz regime in order to protect American companies operating in Mexico.7 Thus, international recognition is key for Los Revolucionarios if they wish to be viewed as the legitimate government of Mexico. Aside from Diaz’s political usurpation, economic concerns are a major grievance across Mexico. While foreign investment under Diaz has been celebrated for bringing prosperity and development to Mexico, including the booming railroad and mining industries, much of the wealth has left the country. The upper and middle classes are frustrated with