The Cuban and Mexican Revolutions

The statement that "The Cuban and Mexican Revolutions were movements led by of the dominant and wealthiest sectors; however, these revolutions ultimately resulted in major changes

beneficial to the poor of those two societies" is true in general but a little simplistic, a little too black-and-white. Certainly both revolutions were supported and encouraged by some members of the dominant and wealthiest sectors, as every revolution must be at some point if it is to succeed. In addition, while the revolutions did bring some important benefits to the poor of both nations, this hardly means that they were removed from their poverty, as perhaps they were promised and perhaps they hoped would be the case.

George Leighton writes that although Mexico's economy was strong and its political foundation apparently stable in 1910, there were signs of turbulence not far beneath the surface of that prosperity and calm. The primary complaints still alive and growing were for a more democratic government and one which would be more responsive to the poor. Francisco Madero was one rich and powerful man who sought to right these political and socioeconomic wrongs (Leighton 21). Ironically, Diaz himself stirred up first democratic (and, ultimately, revolutionary) energy by staging electoral events designed to show a true democracy was at work (Leighton 22-23). At the same time, Diaz was cracking down on those more liberal elements in the dominant and wealthy sector who might pose any danger (suc

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d in which to do business. . . . Order reigned. . . . The national credit line was such that smiles flowered on the faces of bankers floating new bonds. . . . Railroads . . . now cut important export routes. . . . And other industries, subsidized too, had developed by leaps and bounds. . . . A dazzling future was prophesied, a golden era had already arrived. . . . Foreign investors . . . were cherished. . . . these were the achievements that the government of . . . Diaz prepared to celebrate in the fall of 1910 (Leighton 11, 13-15). Brazil in the 1950s, as depicted by Carolina Maria de Jesus in her autobiographical Child of the Dark presents a world of horrifying poverty and fear and suffering that stands in the starkest of contrasts to the portrait of a booming economy in Mexico in 1910 as described by Leighton. While Leighton goes on to acknowledge that many did not enjoy the wealth in Mexico in 1910, the most striking difference between the two accounts is that of perspective. When Leighton is describing the strong economy of Mexico, sometimes with barely withheld cynicism, he is nevertheless giving the official, statistical viewpoint held by those in power, those who are fat, happy and rich. To any hungry farmer or unemployed

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