Interventions and the Mexican Revolution

At the turn of the twentieth century, U.S. foreign relations with Latin America underwent a profound transformation. U.S. leaders began making efforts to enforce the Monroe Doctrine; and Theodore Roosevelt eventually altered its definition to expand the reach of U.S. interest, particularly in the Caribbean Basin. “Big Stick Diplomacy” and “Dollar Diplomacy” of early twentieth century presidents led to direct military intervention by U.S. troops throughout Central America and the Caribbean.

It was within this context of expanding U.S. intervention that the Mexican Revolution erupted in 1910. A decade of violent factional warfare paralyzed the country and diplomatic relations with the United States became intricately intertwined with the conflict. As a participant in the roundtable, I will emphasize the following:

• Revolutionary leaders in Mexico along with diplomatic leaders from other areas of the world who were stationed in Mexico were keenly aware of ongoing U.S. interventions throughout the Caribbean Basin. There was a constant concern that the United States might intervene in the Mexican Revolution by deploying troops to occupy large portions of the country.
• The Mexican Revolution also influenced diplomatic relations around the region as concerns grew that violence and instability would spill beyond Mexico’s borders.
• The United States did intervene directly in the Mexican Revolution on several occasions (Henry Lane Wilson, Tampico, Pershing Expedition).
• Despite the large scale violence, instability, and threat to U.S. interests that accompanied the Mexican Revolution, U.S. direct intervention in the conflict was considerably more tapered than simultaneous interventions in other Caribbean Basin nations.