Has anyone tried a Mexican Revolution TL?

I've been playing Darkest Hour lately, and have watched with some curiosity when nothing else is going on in-game the Mexican Revolution. This got me wondering...has anyone on here done anything involving the events of the Mexican Revolution, even a brief mention?
 

mowque

Banned
It is part of a larger TL obviously...



More then any other man, the Mexican Civil War of 1909 can be blamed on Ricardo Magon. His name stands out as first in a long line of men at fault for the bloodshed and terminal violence that plagued Mexico for a generation. At his doorstep is much of the lost opportunity for the nation of Mexico.

Magon was born in 1874 in Mexico, and soon became an anarchist. The harsh conditions he lived in, combined with surprisingly easy access to Socialist and Anarchist literature soon convinced young Magon (and his brothers). By 1900 he was firm in his thought but unpopular at home. His politics were radical even for fractured Mexico. He planned to leave and flee to USA, and try to start a new life there. The out break of the First Atlantic War stalled him however as many American socialists were arrested or harassed during that conflict. He worried that a newly arrived Mexican immigrant might be treated even worse.

Ricadro soon drifted down into Mexico City where he soon found himself surrounded by other who thought like him. Many Mexicans were tired of Porfirio Díaz's rule. Diaz was immensely unpopular and held dictator-like powers. Díaz had changed land reform efforts started under previous leaders. Díaz’s new land laws virtually undid all the hard work by former leaders of Mexico. Wealth, political power, and access to education were concentrated among a handful of families, overwhelmingly of European descent, who controlled much property in large estates. Most of the people in Mexico were landless. No peasant or farmer could claim the land he occupied without formal legal title. This combined with the fact that all 'elections' were rigged with Diaz a sure winner (since 1876) led to severe unrest.

It was in this flammable atmosphere that Magon preached his incendiary doctrine. He soon became important in the small circle of dedicated anarchists of Mexico City. The small circle grew as the years past and Diaz became more tyrannical. Also, Mexico was buffeted by the tides of war from the First Atlantic War. Germany, smarting from the loss of the Caribbean to the United States , looked to Mexico as a possible counter-weight and perhaps even a distraction for the USA. Dollars from Germans banks flooded the Mexican market, as Germany became the second greatest creditor in the nation (Ameirca was still first). The Kaiser established a strong reputation in the nation and soon German companies and banks started making choices for Mexico.

Diaz supported it, seeing that this would make Mexico stronger and more tied into the global economy. Many, such as Magon, merely saw it as a form of colonialism. The refused to be dominated by German money or American guns. As tensions mounted it only took a small spark to set it off.

In early 1909 the spark was provided. Diaz announced that he would seek to run for re-election again in 1910 despite his earlier claims otherwise. This announcement burst open the barely functioning Mexican state. In this moment of anger and confusion Magon made his move.

He and his fellow anarchists staged a revolt, right there in Mexico City. He called his follower the Iron Ring and they soon became (in)famous for their rabble rousing calls. They took to the streets, with parades and angry speeches. They started brawls in bars and shops. The capatial city was turned upside down. Diaz was afraid to act to harshly. He worried that destroying the Iron Ring too quickly might merely start a more general movement. He reasoned it might be best to act quiet and let them blow themselves out. The idea might have worker if he had been left alone. Magon had only a small numebr of direct followers, and his fringe doctrine was mostly too much for mainstream Mexicans to follow. Even by mid-summer it seemed that the Iron Ring has shot its bolt, and Diaz would lead unopposed.

Unfortunately, for Mexico, another force stepped in the ring.

The cries of the anarchists had finally been heard in the United States. American had tightened its grip on the Caribbean and central American ever since the FAW. Large American companies invested millions in various nations, with hundreds of employees doing business. Disorder and revolt were shunned and many of these companies had extensive power in Washington. Magon was the worst nightmare of these companies. His calls for nationalization and the 'complete removal of foreign influence' would be disastrous for their companies, let alone their nation.

These companies had watched nervously for years as men like Magon came to power. The 1909 revolt confirmed their worst fears. They turned to federal government to hear their pleas. They framed them in every way possible. They talked about a resurgence in German power in the south, they talked about the 'pleas of humanity coming from Mexico', they also mentioned the high taxes they paid and how much value they were to the economy. These companies demanded harsh action in Mexico now.

They found the road easy, as popular opinion (and Bryan himself) was behind them. For months sensationalist journalism had been pouring from the 'yellow journals' about the crimes and actions in Mexico. William Hearst led the charge, as he did in 1898. Still recovering from his McKinley disaster, his newspaper empire had been re-born in the FAW and he saw the affairs in Mexico as another step in the ladder. His newspapers inflamed public opinion as he told lurid accounts of Mexicans destroying business and harassing Americans. He also, with innuendo and indirectness, stated that Mexicans were freely trespassing on the American border. This combined with the idea that the Germans were propping up the revolt (although the reverse was quite true) soon convinced the public (and newly instated) President Bryan that steps needed to be taken.

This step was detrimend to be sending an American force (small in number) to 'correct the erring Mexican government' and to send a strong message to meddling Germany. Jack Pershing was selected to lead the mission, and he soon( by early fall) landed in Mexico, without any word of warning being sent to Mexico City. His landing is what turned the small, local, isolated revolt of 1909 into the Mexican Civil War.

With hindsight it is easy to see why American troops, landing in Mexico would only make the situation worse. But at the time, no problem was seen. A quick display of American power (a glimpse of the 'big stick') would surely put the Mexicans back in their place. Instead, it merely destroyed whatever creditably Diaz had left.

As soon as news spread that Americans troops had arrived to 'prop' Diaz up unrest erupted. The idea that America could simply send troops to interfere in private affairs drove many (who otherwise might have stayed reluctantalty loyal) to arms. Magon suddenly got a wave of support but more then just that. Many others, from other anarchists, to socialists, reactionaries and simple strongmen suddenly starting popping up everywhere in protest. The army dissolved as Diaz fled the country. Pershing, watching bemused, soon found himself in a nation of pure chaos. Still, he had his orders. He assembled his men but fragments of the 'old' Mexican army soon stood in his way. Pershing, assuming they would flee at the first shot ordered a warning shot fired. Suddenly chaos broke out as both sides starting firing heavily and a full-blown battle formed. This unsteady confusion would characterize the whole Mexican experience.

Bryan found himself stuck in a quagmire. His army was stuck, under-supplied in a small Mexican port city, surrounded by hostile forces. Mexico was quickly turning into a failed state, as bandits and ideologies took over various factions of the nation. Magon assumed power over much of the capital City but few paid heed to him. Diaz himself had successfully fled and was now in Spain, unreachable by anyone.

The President quietly re-enforced Pershing hoping that more force might still bring about balance in the South. Emboldened (and still disdainful of the Mexicans) Pershing set off on a march to Mexico City. He found the way easy, if not comfortable. Most enemy forces simply fled at the sight of the American army. A few small battles were fought but Pershing arrived at the capital before winter.

By this time, Magon had fled (along with other anarchists) to the Yucatan and has establishing a base of support there. As the American arrived no real force controlled the city. Mexico was now in the hands of diverse factions. Still, Mexico City was the center of communications so Pershing soon got an idea of how the rest of the nation stood.

The north had fallen into the hands of the local landowners. These feudalistic like landlords held all the power of the poor, agriculturally poor north. Large (but inefficient) farms and the occasional copper or silver mine provided the backbone of the northern economy. The sprawling hacienda system provided the landlords with complete control. As order and power from the center broke down these reactionary landlords turned warlord and armed themselves greatly. Indeed, by the time Pershing started to take over these 'patrons' had started their own private armies backed by private fiat currency.

In Baja California the power went over to various communes. Towns and cites fell into the control of various 'councils' who took over management of the whole peninsula. Sometimes working in concert they declared that a 'state of disaster' was in progress, to justify their extreme measures. These communes were, unlike the hacinedas, were based on ideology not on pure force. Still, a number of assassinations of old Mexican governors swept the area throughout the fall and winter of 1909.

The Yucatan had been in revolt before the Civil War had even started. The Mayan people had been in revolt for nearly 80 years. They had recently been put down by a large army in 1901 and were still fighting in small scale conflicts. The collapse of central power was a god-send to the Maya, and with it the bonus of the arrival of Magon, followed by his other anarchists. The break down of Mexico authority lead to most of the occupying Mexican army leaving the Yucatan and the Mayans celebrated that the gods had saved them. Soon after, Magon arrived which further dis-ordered the Mexican population. While the Mayans weren't eager supporters, they realized the Iron Ring could be used to further their own plans and they often included him in talks on organizing a Mayan State.

The center of Mexico was in the hands of various factions. This was the richest and most populated area, consisting of disparate regions from the Mexico City valley to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. This region was full of bandits, old Diaz army commanders and new socialists leaders all trying to take command. Throughout the winter of 1909-10 Pershing focused on this area, hoping that the center would eventually turn the rest of the nation to him.

This task was a difficult one and often Pershing was forced to use violent measures. Pershing however, turned out to be a capable diplomat and used Mexican forces as often as possible. After the famous “Christmas Battle” were American led Mexican forces defeated Bernardo Reyes (an old Diaz army commander) Pershing thought that the worst chaos might be over. It was after this that Pershing decided he would need a Mexican to help lead his new interim government. He was helped greatly by Francisco Leon de la Barra.

Barra had been a Mexican diplomat for years. Well educated and well regarded by Diaz, Barra had represented Mexico in most of the European capitals. As soon as trouble brewed he left his current post (Washington DC) and went back to Mexico to help his country. It is regarded that his absence in Washington might had led Bryan to making such a rash move by sending troops.

In any case Barra soon arose as Pershing's chief liaison with Mexican officials and faction leaders. Amid the endless piles of chaff Pershing (and Barra) sifted out a few gems to lead the “new Mexico'. One of these was Framcisco Madero. Madero had been a anti-Diaz politician since 1908 with his book La sucesión presidencial en 1910 (The Presidential Succession of 1910) . This had cemented him at the end of the anti-Diaz (mainstream, that is) opposition. The success of relative unknown Magon however had pushed him from the limelight.

He thrust back into power and prestige as he took the helm of the new Mexican state that Pershing (with infrequent commands from a distracted Washington) was trying to engineer. Throughout the early winter and spring, Madero gathered power and legitimacy throughout central Mexico. A few small battles, elections (sham and otherwise) and political rallies were all used. Finally, Madero gave his famous “May Declaration” which is generally regarded as his first act as formal president. Still his rule was limited not just by Pershing and Barra (who held power behind the throne) but also political factors. The Yucatan was still free of his influence and was only getting more entrenched by the day. Baja was still drifting along in communes, ill led with trade in chaos. The confederation of haciendas, in contrast, was well organized and powerful. The various patrons even started to gather combined armies for the inevitable showdown with growing authority.

Madero decided to deal with the Yucatan first. All through the summer, while he was also busy maintaining his political support in the middle (against left wing challengers) he offered the Mayan leaders much in exchange for giving up their de-facto autonomy. The Yucatan leaders sensed weakness and played a strong hand well. The achieved more then they could have hoped for. They got language rights, religious freedom, a far greater hand in local government, and strong regulations of trade. By August the treaty had been signed and the Yucatan re-joined Mexico (even though many cynically announced Mexico had joined the Yucatan). Still, this was great triumph that helped finalize any doubts that Madero was in control. After this point most challengers faded away as Barra and Pershing started to focus on the much tougher challenge of the haciendas.

If the haciendas had been located anywhere else Pershing would have ignored them, but in this case he couldn't. Strung out along the northern border of Mexico they were threatening close to the American border. Indeed, in the short time already passed, smuggling and border jumping was common and sanctioned by the patrons. It would only be a short leap as various haciendas generals used the rich American towns as a well stocked larder.

However, realigning them with Mexico City would be a difficult task. They had an entrenched economic system, well organized system of command and a de-centralization that was hard to break. They took the name the “Northern Confederation” and they stretched out all over northern Mexico. Built on a long tradition of political power they wouldn't back down unless forced to. Madero was willing and able to apply all the force required.

The summer of 1910 (while war clouds brewing in Europe) was the start of the major campaigning as Madero (backed up by American officers) tried to invade the hacidena/s It turned into a disaster of epic proportions. It is a tribute to Barra's political abilities that Madero remained in power over the summer. The 'Black War', as it was soon dubbed had been poorly run and ill led, which lead to defeat after defeat in the hot Mexican summer. The strong and self-sufficient haciendas were scattered across the vast landscape making logistics difficult for the Mexican army while easing the problem for the small mobile units of the Northern Confederation. The Haciendas not only had small roving bands (much like the commandos of the Boers) which caused hell with supply lines, they also fielded large field armies, scarped together from farm labors and workers.

While these armies were often poor in quality, they were enough to tax the new Mexican army. The patrons had been extroidaly lucky in finding gifted leaders and officers. In contrast to the rest of the Northern Confederation, the army was free of nepotism and 'political' appointments (unlike the Mexican army). This meritocratic quality allowed good leaders to rise to the top quickly and stay there. Examples were men such as Pancho Villa (who excelled at leading the small bands of harassing troops) and Felipe Angeles (who commanded more of the large armies). This state of affairs led to devastating defeats like the battle of XXX where a rout of the Mexican army led to the end of campaigning for the summer.

Back in Mexico City Pershing desperately asked for more American troops. In particular he asked for his Buffalo Soldiers, knowing even if war broke out in Europe they'd be available. Bryan, distracted by the rising storm in Europe, agreed and sent more troops to Mexico. Armed with this, Pershing was determined to pick up campaigning. He launched (led by his troops, not the dis-organized Mexicans) an assault into Confederation territory in fall. All throughout the winter he fought a slow steady campaign against his soft but slippery opponent. One by one the haciendas fell to his troops, as he managed to whip the Mexican soldiers into shape. His slow and cauiots campaign was made at husbanding the meager logistic resource of Mexico and his own American troops.

The Buffulo Soldiers hadn't failed him and are to be credited with being a steady force in the face of segregation in conservative Mexico. They formed the tough nucleus of American troops fighting a constant and grinding battle against determined and stubborn forces. They were slowed by Mayan power grabs, Baja uprisings and various logistical problems. By the end of 1912 Pershing's army were triumphant and had achieved control over most of Mexico. Various bandits were exist in Mexico for years, calling themselves Hacienda soldiers, but they were small in number and scope.

It hadn't been easy but Mexico was again at peace. It was a much different Mexico then when it started, three years periovusly. Central power, as wielded by Madero and backed Pershing, was weaker then it was before. It was based on a fragile balance of powers. Various regions had gained greater local control, with the Mayans as the poster child. The Church was even weaker then it had been before and any clerical control was shattered. The Socialists were also battered and suppressed as American interests took grip of industry and foreign policy. For years, Mexican policy would be American policy. Pershing himself had made himself at home in Mexico (his family arriving in 1911), and would be a force in Mexico for over a decade.
 
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