Challenge: Communist Mexico

[Blochead]

Originally Posted by tallwingedgoat

Why? In the 1920's Communism was more weird than threatening. America was quite cozy with the Soviets considering. American industry were of great help to Lenin's economic reconstruction.

Given the US did send small combat expeditionary forces to fight the Bolsheviks before they even concluded the Russian Civil War and experienced its first Red Scare from 1917-1920, it is very unlikely a communist movement in Mexico would be treated kindly (especially given fresh US memories about Pancho Villa and US business interests that might be opposed to a program of nationalization in Mexico).

[tallwingedgoat]

Originally Posted by Blochead

Given the US did send small combat expeditionary forces to fight the Bolsheviks before they even concluded the Russian Civil War and experienced its first Red Scare from 1917-1920, it is very unlikely a communist movement in Mexico would be treated kindly (especially given fresh US memories about Pancho Villa and US business interests that might be opposed to a program of nationalization in Mexico).

The Allies intervened primarily to prop up Russia so that it might keep up the pressure on the Eastern Front. Stopping Bolshevism was a secondary mission. America was not enthusiastic about the whole thing actually. It was the monarchies like Britain and Japan that were most anxious over Bolshevism. Once it was clear the Russians were done with the war, the allies lost all interest fighting the Bolsheviks.

Now I do think Mexican Communism would ruffle some feathers. Particularly as this was a period where the US Marine Corps routinely intervened in Latin America over business interests. But it would not be clear that the new government would nationalize the economy. That's something we came to expect from Communists in a later time but there was no pattern for it then. In any case Mexican Communists would in all likelihood be very careful not to provoke the US as they would be weak and have no allies.

It's possible America would see the new regime as a boon for business as they did in Russia. America would probably not feel threatened by Communism during the booming economy of the 20s. In the depression years things would be different.

[Blochead]

Part of the reason America wasn't as nervous about Bolshevism was that all the Bolshevists were in Europe. The conservatives in America who were most concerned about Bolshevism thought problems in Europe could be kept out of America simply by restricting immigration - these are the same isolationists who were against Wilson's war and 14 points, after all. But once Bolshevism became a 'problem' on American shores, you had the Red Scare - I don't see why Bolshevists popping up in Mexico wouldn't elicit another expeditionary force.

[Joseph Solis in Australia]

If Mexico goes communist by 1930s at the height of Great Depression, US-Mexico border would be more heavily militarized than in OTL and Mexican Americans will be Republicans rather than Democrats in OTL.

[AbyssalDaemon]

Originally Posted by tallwingedgoat

Why? In the 1920's Communism was more weird than threatening. America was quite cozy with the Soviets considering. American industry were of great help to Lenin's economic reconstruction.

True it would be ignored during the Roaring twenties but keep in mind that by the late twenties to early thirties America was ready starting to experience a 'minor' red scare. Which added to the potential threat right on the border, means that something is going to end up happening.

And don't forget that while America might not have minded working with the Soviets, they DID frown quite a bit on Communism within the USA. Or in this case right across the borders.

[Corbell Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Admiral Brown

...

If the Trostky/Stalin split still occurs, and Mexico becomes "Trostkyst", the US might help him, and use the existance of a non-aligned Soviet country for propaganda purpuses. It might realize that haven a peacefull, friendly, (non Stalinist) Communist neighbour might be a very good card to play in the event of a cold war.

...

Oooh good one! That is more likely than an American defeat and more interesting.

[Jape]

I'm not terribly sure about a Red Mexico surviving US intervention, unless its a gradual development, namely following the Civil War in the 1910's, the social democrat & anarchist elements slowly transform the country, and follow Lenin's steps on requesting US aid. As long as nationalised Mexican oil still reaches America, I cant see Washington being too angry (Mexico's oil fields were mainly owned by Dutch and British firms at this point).