Exam topic 4 of 10
The Revolution and modern Mexico, for the exam.
From Madero to the present, with the events and dates the exam actually reaches for.
What this topic gets asked about
The Revolution first, then the 20th century in a handful of landmarks. The Constitution of 1917 is the single fact this topic returns to most.
The Mexican Revolution began on 20 November 1910, called by Francisco I. Madero in the Plan de San Luis, against the re-election of Porfirio Díaz.
Madero’s slogan was "Sufragio efectivo, no reelección" — effective suffrage, no re-election.
Emiliano Zapata led the revolution in the south under the Plan de Ayala and the cry of "Tierra y libertad". Francisco Villa led in the north.
Venustiano Carranza headed the constitutionalists and convened the congress that wrote the Constitution of 1917.
The Constitution of 1917 was promulgated on 5 February 1917 in Querétaro. It is the constitution still in force, and it was the first in the world to include social rights.
Its landmark articles: Article 3 on free, secular, compulsory education; Article 27 on land and national ownership of subsoil resources; Article 123 on labour rights.
Lázaro Cárdenas expropriated the oil industry on 18 March 1938, creating what became Pemex. He also carried out the great redistribution of land through the ejido.
The Secretaría de Educación Pública was created in 1921, with José Vasconcelos as its first head.
Mexico declared war on the Axis powers in 1942, during the Second World War, and sent Escuadrón 201 to the Pacific.
Women obtained the vote in federal elections in 1953, under Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, and voted for the first time in 1955.
Mexico hosted the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The same year, the student movement ended in the massacre at Tlatelolco on 2 October 1968.
The earthquake of 19 September 1985 devastated Mexico City and is remembered for the civilian rescue brigades that formed in response.
NAFTA (TLCAN) came into force on 1 January 1994; the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas began the same day.
The alternancia of 2000: Vicente Fox won the presidency, ending 71 years of PRI government.
Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico’s first woman president, taking office in October 2024.
A practice question from this topic
In Spanish, like the real exam. Open the answer to read the Contexto, or pick an option first.
Question 1 of 1 · Revolution & Modern Mexico
¿En qué año México declaró la guerra a las potencias del Eje durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial?
Show the answer
Answer
1942
Contexto
México declaró la guerra al Eje después del hundimiento de petroleros mexicanos por submarinos alemanes; el Escuadrón 201 combatió después en Filipinas.
The other 626, with an explanation each.
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Questions people ask
What date did the Revolution begin?
20 November 1910, the date called in Madero’s Plan de San Luis. It is a public holiday.
Which constitution is in force in Mexico?
The Constitution of 1917, promulgated on 5 February 1917 in Querétaro. The 1824 and 1857 constitutions are historical.
Does the exam ask about recent politics?
It asks about institutional facts — when women got the vote, when the alternancia happened, who holds an office — not about opinions on parties.