Capitalist development had begun in Mexico prior to the revolution, but it had been constrained by the power of the large landholders and lacked the sponsorship of an active, development-oriented state (MacEwan)."
During the 1920s and 1930s, the modern Mexican state "came to embody the dual heritage of the Mexican revolution, representing and containing the interests of Mexico's working people and also leading a process of capitalist development by actively intervening in the country's economic life, resulting in a highly nationalist state. The revolution had in part been a reaction to the power of foreign investors, and nationalist policies struck a popular chord (MacEwan)."
In order for the country's economy to experience its total growth potential, it was essential that Mexican capital receive "support for the state and protection from foreign competition (MacEwan)."
Russia's Revolution
The Russian Revolution in 1917 was a result of a strain on the political system due to Russia becoming more industrialized. "Attempts by the lower classes to gain more freedom provoked fears of anarchy, and the government remained extremely conservative. As Russia became more industrialized, larger, and far more complicated, the inadequacies of autocratic Tsarist rule became increasingly apparent. By the twentieth century conditions were ripe for a serious convulsion (http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm)."
War with Japan in 1905 led the soviets to unite under the Social Democratic party, and forced Nicholas II to "grant concessions to reformers, including a constitution and a parliament, or Duma (http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm)." Nicholas attempted to remove the concessions after the war, which resulted in "popular discontent gaining strength. Nicholas countered it with increased repression,...
In 1912, the Social Democrats split into two camps- the radical Bolsheviks and the comparatively moderate Menshiviks (http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm)."
The First World War had a dramatic effect on Russia. The country was not prepared for the war industrially or militarily, resulting in "demoralizing defeats, severe food shortages and economic collapse. By February of 1917, the workers and soldiers had had enough, causing riots to break out in St. Petersburg, and the garrison there to mutiny (http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm)." In an effort to restore order, a Provisional Government was created by the Duma, leading to the abdication of the throne by Nicholas. The Provisional Government made a promise to reform worker's rights, but was "unwillingly to endorse the most pressing demand of the soviets- an immediate end to the war. For the next nine months, the Provisional Government unsuccessfully attempted to establish its
authority, while the Bolsheviks gained increasing support from the ever more frustrated soviets (http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm)." The Kerensky government was deposed October 25 when
Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik army overtook the Winter Palace. The Bolsheviks did not control the "country as a whole, but were successful in taking Russia out of the war (http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm)." Soon afterward, Russia found itself in the midst of a
civil war which lasted until 1920, when the Bolsheviks finally won the war.
Conclusion revolution in a country can be caused by any number of reasons. At the beginning of the 20th century,
India, Mexico and Russia found themselves in the middle of revolutions, each with a different purpose and outcome.
Works Cited
MacEwan, Arthur. Banishing the Mexican Revolution. Monthly Review. (1991): 01 November.
The Path to Revolution. (accessed 12 October, 2004). http://www.interknowledge.com/russia/rushis06.htm).
Unknown. India. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. (2004): 22 April.
