Venustiano+Carranza

Venustiano Carranza
 * [[image:carranza.jpg width="194" height="205" caption="Click for source" link="http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/c/carranza.htm"]] ||
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Carranza was the most conservative of the rebel leaders that supported Madero in his struggle for the presidency and ran Huerta out of office. He was unwilling to make radical changes to Mexican society, but still became a great reformer of Mexico. Though Carranza cannot be labeled a true revolutionary in the same way as Zapata and Villa, he reformed Mexico and greatly shaped its history. Though Carranza had opposed Diaz, he was fairly cautious during Madero’s try for the presidency and supported him while safe in Texas. After Madero took power, Carranza governed the province of Coahuila. When Huerta became president with a coup, Carranza refused to recognize him and began a revolt (Creed). Carranza then wrote the Plan of Guadalupe which was first and foremost a constitutionalist document that denounced Huerta. However it also contained some promises of social reform such as improved conditions for the poor, stronger ejidos and the right to work (Keen 288). Carranza named himself the First Chief of the Constitutionalist movement and united the other revolutionaries in a struggle to remove Huerta. After the fall of Huerta the revolutionary leaders fought amongst themselves for the presidency. After fleeing to Veracruz and defeating Villa’s army at Celaya, in 1915 Carranza was the undisputed president (Williamson). The first major act of the Carranza presidency was to convene a constitutional convention. The [|Constitution of 1917] turned out to be the most liberal and influential document in modern Mexican history with drastic reform in the areas of labor, land and the role of the church. However Carranza cannot be credited with it as he had supported only moderate political reform in the constitution. A group of radicals had seized control of the convention and shaped the document (Keen 293). Though Carranza was not responsible for the reformist constitution of 1917 he moved for significant change in other areas. He strongly believed in national unity, economic development and basic freedoms. How successful he was in each of these areas is debatable but it is certain that Carranza empowered the average citizen and was connected to the needs of the peasantry. He improved the standard of living and education increasing school attendance 20% (Layfield). Carranza was opposed to U.S. involvement in Mexican affairs which made the relations between the two countries extremely tense. Tensions peaked when U.S. general Pershing crossed the border in pursuit of Pancho Villa, an incident that led Mexico and the U.S. to the brink of war (Creed). Later in his rule, Carranza became more conservative and slowed his social reforms. When his term ended in 1920 Carranza planned to have his hand-picked successor elected. But, Obregon revolted successfully and Carranza was assassinated on May 21, 1920. Carranza was not radical enough to be accepted by the other dominate leader of his time but overall he was a successful reformer who created real progress for many of the Mexicans that had been left behind.
 * [[image:Guadalupe.jpg width="379" height="281" caption="The signing of the Plan of Guadalupe. Click for source." link="http://www.nevadaobserver.com/Mexican%20Revolution%20-%20People/Mexican%20Revolution%20-%20Carranza%20de%20la%20Garza,%20Venustiano.htm"]] ||
 * The signing of the Plan of Guadalupe. Click for source. ||