Title: The Wars of Mexico Throughout History
Headings: The Wars of Mexico
The Wars of Mexico
The History Mexican Conflicts From the Aztecs to the 20th Century
The Rise of the Aztecs
The Conquest (1519—1522)
Independence from Spain (1810—1821)
The Loss of Texas (1835—1836)
The Pastry War (1838—1839)
The Mexican-American War (1846—1848)
The Reform War (1857—1860)
The French Intervention (1861—1867)
The Mexican Revolution (1910—1920)
The Cristero War (1926—1929)
World War Two (1939—1945)

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The Mexican Revolution (1910—1920)
Dominio público/Wikimedia Commons
Mexico achieved a level of peace and stability under the iron fist of dictator Porfirio Diaz, who ruled from 1876 to 1911. While the economy boomed, the poorest Mexicans did not benefit. This caused a simmering resentment that eventually exploded into the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Initially, the new president, Francisco Madero, was able to maintain order, but after he was ousted from power and executed in 1913, the country descended into utter chaos as ruthless warlords like Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Alvaro Obregon fought amongst themselves for control. After Obregon eventually "won" the conflict, stability was restored—but by then, millions were dead or displaced, the economy was in ruins, and Mexico's development had been set back 40 years. 10
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The Cristero War (1926—1929)
Alvaro Obregon. Bettmann/Getty Images
In 1926, Mexicans (who had apparently forgotten about the disastrous Reform War of 1857) once again went to war over religion. During the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, a new constitution had been adopted in 1917. It allowed for freedom of religion, separation of church and state, and secular education. Ardent Catholics had bided their time, but by 1926, it had become evident that these provisions were not likely to be rescinded and fighting began breaking out.