Page:Margaret Shipman - Mexico's Struggle Towards Democracy (1927).pdf/55

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ized the workers. Obregon accepted the position as mayor of his native pueblo and later announced his candidacy in the coming elections. Sonora, during the war had become, next to Yucatan, the most prosperous state in Mexico, since it has closer economic connection with the United States than with the rest of Mexico. There General Calles had made some progress in settling his troops in agrarian colonies and in carrying out constitutional land reform. Carranza now attempted to gain control of the state by sending in additional federal troops. This action was strongly opposed by De la Huerta and led to the final break between state and federal authorities.

At this time, Morones, president of the C. R. O. M., organized the workers politically in the Partido Laborista, nineteen out of the twenty-seven states being represented, in support of Obregon. Obregon was also endorsed by a convention of labor unions in Tampico which included the railway workers who are not affiliated with the C. R. O. M. The railway workers' union was one of the strongest in Mexico and rendered Obregon valuable service in sabotaging trains used by Carranza in military operations. Obregon was placed under arrest by Carranza, but escaping from Mexico City, organized the forces in the district west of the capital where the Partido Socialista de Michoacan gave him strong support. Obregon came into power in the spring of 1920 by the time-honored method of revolutionary proclamation and armed revolt, but he came, supported by practically all the revolutionary elements of Mexico, more solidly organized and with a more definite program of reform than ever before.[1]


  1. Beals, Op. Cit., pp. 65–74.

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