Editing History of Mexico (section)

====Obregón presidency, 1920–1924====
{{Main|Álvaro Obregón}}
Obregón, Calles, and de la Huerta revolted against Carranza in the [[Plan of Agua Prieta]] in 1920. Following the interim presidency of [[Adolfo de la Huerta]], elections were held, and Obregón was elected for a four-year presidential term. His government accommodated many elements of Mexican society except the most conservative clergy and wealthy landowners.<ref>Meyer, Mexico in the 1920s", p. 204.</ref>

He was able to implement policies emerging from the revolutionary struggle successfully; in particular, the successful policies were the integration of urban, organized labor into political life via [[CROM]], the improvement of education and Mexican cultural production under [[José Vasconcelos]], the movement of [[Land reform in Mexico|land reform]], and the steps taken toward instituting women's civil rights. His main tasks in the presidency were consolidating state power in the central government and curbing regional strongmen (''[[caudillo]]s''), obtaining diplomatic recognition from the United States, and managing the presidential succession in 1924 when his term ended.<ref>Jean Meyer, "Mexico in the 1920s" in ''Mexico since Independence''ed. Leslie Bethell. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1991, p. 203.</ref> His administration began constructing what one scholar called "an enlightened despotism, a ruling conviction that the state knew what ought to be done and needed plenary powers to fulfill its mission."<ref>Meyer, ''Mexico in the 1920s'' p. 203.</ref> After the nearly decade-long violence of the Mexican Revolution, reconstruction in the hands of a strong central government offered stability and a path of renewed modernization.

Obregón knew his regime needed to secure recognition in the United States. With the promulgation of the [[Mexican Constitution of 1917]], the Mexican government was empowered to expropriate natural resources. The U.S. had considerable business interests in Mexico, especially oil, and the threat of Mexican economic nationalism to big oil companies meant that diplomatic recognition could hinge on Mexican compromise in implementing the constitution. 1923, when the Mexican presidential elections were on the horizon, the two governments signed the [[Bucareli Treaty]]. The treaty resolved questions about foreign oil interests in Mexico, largely favoring U.S. interests, but Obregón's government gained U.S. diplomatic recognition. With that, arms and ammunition began flowing to revolutionary armies loyal to Obregón.<ref name="Meyer p. 206">Meyer, ''Mexico in the 1920s'' p. 206.</ref>

[[File:Plutarco Elias Calles.jpg|thumb|[[Plutarco Elías Calles]] politician and revolutionary general who served as President of Mexico from 1924 to 1928, known for his role in shaping modern Mexico through reforms and the consolidation of state power.]]

Since Obregón had named his fellow Sonoran general, Plutarco Elías Calles, as his successor, Obregón was imposing a "little known nationally and unpopular with many generals,"<ref name="Meyer p. 206"/> thereby foreclosing the ambitions of fellow revolutionaries, particularly Adolfo de la Huerta. De la Huerta staged a serious rebellion against Obregón but was suppressed with aid from the United States. Fifty-four former Obregonistas were shot in the event.<ref>Meyer, "Mexico in the 1920s", p. 207.</ref> Vasconcelos resigned from Obregón's cabinet as minister of education.

Although the Constitution of 1917 had stronger anticlerical articles than the previous constitution, Obregón largely sidestepped confrontation with the [[Mexican Catholic Church]]. Since political opposition parties were essentially banned, the Catholic Church "filled the political void and played the part of a substitute opposition."<ref>Meyer, ''Mexico in the 1920s'', p. 205.</ref>