Published by Verso Editions. £6.95 THE MEXICAN revolution after the Russian events in 1905 was the next popular uprising to show that the bourgeoisie was incapable of carrying one tasks the democratic revolution.
When the revolution began in 1910 it was an attempt to modernise and transform the oligarchic state the modern bourgeoisie who cast envious eyes across the Rio Grande 'where they could see their US counterparts prospering on an unbelievable scale aims the Mexican capitalist class needed the help of the peasantry who yearned for land reform an unstable with the liberal politicians the peasants took the road of revolution the armies of Pancho Villa and from the south came the armies Emiliano Zapata. Both eventually entered Mexico City in December 1914.
Reform Of course they were promised land reform by the capitalist politicians WIlU explained that thi would be done constitutionally revolutionary peasant al lilco were expected to disband home cians go on with running the state.
Despite their heroism and their distrust of their allies the peasant leaders were not able to sweep the bourgeoisie aside and take OVCI The working class wa: weak disorganised and, unlike the Russian in 1917, did not have revolutionary like the Bolsheviks to provide political leadership.
The radical impulses of the revolution burned themse ves out in politica frustration by 1920 Obregon had stabilised institutiona Revolutionary Party (PRI).
Ruled The PRI has ruled Mexico for the last years without interruption. However, has never been able to wipe out the memory of those stor my years when the revoluand Villa carried the hopes armies of •Zapata of the downtrodden and hitherto despised peasan try.
Gilly's book has beet through editions in Spanish and this study of the Mexican revolution is particular when Mexico once again is heading towards crisis.