Álvaro Obregón
A comprehensive exploration of the pivotal figure who shaped post-revolutionary Mexico, from his military genius to his presidency and enduring legacy.
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Biographical Sketch
Early Life and Origins
Álvaro Obregón Salido was born on February 19, 1880, in Siquisiva, Sonora. Despite his family's former prominence, Obregón experienced straitened circumstances following the confiscation of his father's estate. Raised by his mother and sisters, he received a basic formal education but possessed an active, inventive, and practical mind. His early experiences in farming and as a skilled laborer shaped his views on workers' rights and the potential of organized labor.
Innovation and Enterprise
Before his military and political career, Obregón demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit. In 1909, he invented a novel garbanzo harvester and established a company to manufacture it using a modern assembly line. His success in marketing this innovation to farmers throughout the Mayo Valley highlighted his business acumen. He also actively lobbied for infrastructure improvements, such as railway extensions and irrigation works, to boost agricultural output.
Bilingualism and Influence
Growing up in Sonora, Obregón became fluent in the indigenous Mayo language. This bilingualism proved invaluable later in his career, enabling him to forge strong connections with Mayo and Yaqui communities, many of whom joined his revolutionary forces. His ability to connect with diverse groups was a key factor in his rise to prominence.
Revolutionary General
Entry into the Revolution
Obregón initially remained detached from the Anti-Reelectionist movement but joined the fight against Victoriano Huerta's regime following the February 1913 coup. Supporting Venustiano Carranza's Constitutionalist Army, Obregón quickly distinguished himself as a brilliant military strategist. His early campaigns in Sonora and against Pascual Orozco showcased his tactical prowess, including effective use of encirclement and surprise attacks.
Battle of Celaya and Lost Arm
Obregón's most significant military achievement was his decisive victory over Pancho Villa's División del Norte during the Battle of Celaya in 1915. This confrontation, the largest military engagement in Latin American history prior to the Falklands War, demonstrated Obregón's understanding of modern warfare, particularly the effective use of machine guns and artillery in defensive positions. During these pivotal battles, Obregón lost his right arm, earning him the moniker "El Manco de Celaya" (The One-Armed Man of Celaya).[25]
Navigating Factions
Throughout the revolution, Obregón adeptly navigated complex political and military alliances. He initially mediated between Carranza and Villa but ultimately sided with Carranza after the Convention of Aguascalientes fractured the revolutionary coalition. His strategic thinking extended beyond the battlefield, influencing political decisions and alliances that shaped the course of the revolution.
Presidency (1920-1924)
Educational and Cultural Flourishing
Obregón's presidency marked a period of significant educational reform and cultural development. Appointing José Vasconcelos as Secretary of Public Education, his administration oversaw the construction of numerous schools and libraries across the nation. This era also witnessed the rise of Mexican muralism, with artists like Diego Rivera commissioned to create works celebrating the revolution's ideals on public buildings.
US Relations and Bucareli Treaty
A primary objective of Obregón's administration was securing diplomatic recognition from the United States. He negotiated the Bucareli Treaty in August 1923, which addressed issues concerning U.S. oil interests and other investments. While controversial among some Mexicans who viewed it as overly conciliatory, the treaty was instrumental in normalizing relations and stabilizing the nation.[61]
Land Reform and Labor
Obregón implemented more substantial land reforms than his predecessors, distributing over 900,000 hectares of land. He also honored his commitment to labor unions, creating a Department of Labor and enacting new labor laws, largely in alliance with the powerful Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM). However, the practical application of constitutional labor rights remained inconsistent.
Political Maneuvering
Succession and Rebellion
In 1923, Obregón endorsed Plutarco Elías Calles as his successor, breaking with his former ally Adolfo de la Huerta. This decision triggered the De la Huerta rebellion, a significant military uprising that threatened Obregón's consolidation of power. Obregón's forces, aided by U.S. arms and aircraft, ultimately crushed the rebellion, leading to de la Huerta's exile.
Re-election and Assassination
Fearing instability and seeking to maintain his influence, Obregón supported the repeal of presidential term limits in 1926, paving the way for his own re-election campaign in 1928. Despite opposition from former allies and segments of the public, he won the election. Tragically, before he could assume office for a second term, Obregón was assassinated on July 17, 1928, by José de León Toral, a Catholic radical opposed to the government's anticlerical policies.[70]
Impact on Political Landscape
Obregón's assassination created a political vacuum and crisis, ultimately leading Calles to found the National Revolutionary Party (later the Institutional Revolutionary Party - PRI). This party would dominate Mexican politics for much of the 20th century, solidifying the structures established during the post-revolutionary period.
Enduring Legacy
Nation-Building
Álvaro Obregón is remembered as a pragmatic leader and a key architect of modern Mexico. His military victories ended the most violent phase of the Revolution, and his presidency laid the groundwork for institutional stability. He is credited with fostering national identity through cultural initiatives and consolidating state power.
Monuments and Recognition
Obregón's legacy is physically marked by significant monuments, including the large monument at Parque de la Bombilla in Mexico City, erected on the site of his assassination. His home state of Sonora honors him with the city of Ciudad Obregón and the Álvaro Obregón Dam. The cactus genus *Obregonia* is also named in his honor.[75]
Historical Perspective
While recognized for his military and political achievements, Obregón's legacy is complex. His willingness to amend the constitution for re-election and his pragmatic, sometimes ruthless, political decisions have drawn criticism. Historians often describe him as an effective organizer and unifier, essential for navigating the turbulent post-revolutionary period.
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References
References
- Cline, Howard F. The United States and Mexico. Cambridge: Harvard University Press 1961, p. 208.
- Hall, Linda B. Alvaro Obregón: Power and Revolution in Mexico, 1911â1920. College Station TX: Texas A&M University Press 1981, 3
- Krauze, Enrique (1997). Mexico: Biography of Power, p. 374 at Google Books
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- Voss, Stuart F. "Alvaro Obregón Salido". Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture, v. 4, 212.
- Dulles, John F.W. Yesterday in Mexico: A Chronicle of the Revolution, 1919â1936. Austin: University of Texas Press 1961, 4.
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- quoted in Dulles, John W.F. Yesterday in Mexico: A Chronicle of Revolution, 1919â1936. Austin: University of Texas 1961, pp. 3â4.
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- Krauze, p. 394 at Google Books
- BULLETIN OF THE PAN AMERICAN UNION VOL. LVIII, DECEMBER 1924, No. 12, P.1275-1277
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- Krauze, p. 395 at Google Books
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- Lieuwen, Edwin. Mexican Militarism: The Political Rise and Fall of the Revolutionary Army, 1910â1940. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press 1968, 72â78
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- Heilman, Jaymie. "The Demon Inside: Madre Conchita, Gender, and the Assassination of Obregon". Mexican Studies/Estudios Mexicanos, 18.1 (2002): 23â60.
- "Monumento al General Ãlvaro Obregón, Mexico City", MyTravelGuide.com
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