The Ten Tragic Days, or “La Decena Trágica,” is one of the most significant and violent episodes in Mexican history, occurring between February 9 and February 19, 1913, during the Mexican Revolution. This ten-day period culminated in the overthrow and eventual assassination of President Francisco I. Madero, marking a critical turning point in the revolution. It involved a complex mix of military rebellion, political betrayal, and foreign intervention, leaving a profound impact on the nation’s political trajectory.

Background to the Ten Tragic Days

The roots of the Ten Tragic Days lie in the larger context of the Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910 as a response to the decades-long dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. Díaz’s rule had been marked by economic modernization that benefited a small elite, leaving much of Mexico’s rural population impoverished. Francisco I. Madero, a wealthy landowner who became politically disillusioned with Díaz, called for democratic reforms and ran against Díaz in the 1910 presidential elections. Díaz’s fraudulent victory in the election, along with Madero’s subsequent arrest, sparked the revolutionary movement that eventually forced Díaz into exile in 1911.

After Díaz’s resignation, Madero was elected president and sought to implement his vision of democratic governance. However, Madero’s government faced several challenges, including internal opposition from revolutionary factions who believed that his reforms did not go far enough. Notably, peasant leaders like Emiliano Zapata in the south and military figures like Pascual Orozco in the north turned against Madero, feeling that his policies did not address their demands for land reform and social justice.

Madero’s administration also faced pressure from conservative forces who sought to restore the old political order. Additionally, Madero’s decision to retain the Federal Army, which had served under Díaz, created further instability. Many of these soldiers, especially senior generals, were loyal to the old regime and did not support Madero’s progressive reforms.

The Key Players of the Ten Tragic Days

Several figures played pivotal roles in the events that unfolded during the Ten Tragic Days:

• Francisco I. Madero: The democratically elected president of Mexico who sought to implement political and social reforms after the fall of Díaz. His presidency was short-lived, and his failure to control the military ultimately led to his downfall.
• General Victoriano Huerta: One of Madero’s top generals, Huerta was initially tasked with defending the government from rebel forces. However, he would eventually betray Madero and ally himself with the coup plotters to seize power.
• Félix Díaz: The nephew of the former dictator Porfirio Díaz, Félix Díaz had long sought to restore his family’s control over Mexico. He played a central role in organizing the rebellion against Madero.
• Bernardo Reyes: A prominent military leader under Díaz, Reyes had also sought to regain political power. He joined Díaz in the coup but was killed in the early stages of the uprising.
• Henry Lane Wilson: The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico at the time, Wilson was a staunch opponent of Madero’s government. He actively supported the coup plotters, helping to facilitate meetings between them and ensuring the success of their rebellion.

The Coup and Outbreak of Violence

On February 9, 1913, the coup against Madero began with a coordinated rebellion in Mexico City. General Félix Díaz and General Bernardo Reyes, both of whom had been imprisoned by the Madero government, escaped from jail and rallied troops to their cause. The initial aim of the rebels was to create widespread chaos in the capital, forcing Madero to step down from office.

Rebel forces quickly clashed with the Federal Army in the streets of Mexico City. Although Reyes was killed in one of the early battles, the violence continued to escalate, with much of the fighting centered around the Ciudadela, a military arsenal in the heart of the city. Artillery and rifle fire devastated the downtown area, causing significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

Despite his efforts to defend his presidency, Madero’s position grew increasingly precarious. The most damaging blow came when General Victoriano Huerta, whom Madero had tasked with leading the Federal Army against the rebels, secretly aligned himself with Félix Díaz and other coup leaders. Huerta’s betrayal effectively crippled Madero’s ability to defend his government.

The Role of U.S. Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson

One of the most controversial aspects of the Ten Tragic Days was the involvement of the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Henry Lane Wilson. Ambassador Wilson had long opposed Madero’s presidency, viewing him as a threat to U.S. business interests in Mexico. Wilson believed that Madero’s progressive reforms, including efforts to redistribute land and promote workers’ rights, would destabilize the country and harm American investments.

Throughout the coup, Ambassador Wilson acted as an intermediary between the rebel leaders, particularly Huerta and Díaz. He convened secret meetings at the U.S. embassy, where the plotters discussed their plans to oust Madero. Wilson’s most significant contribution came in the form of the Pact of the Embassy (also known as the Pact of the Ciudadela), signed on February 19, 1913. This agreement established Huerta as the head of a new provisional government, with Félix Díaz playing a significant role in the new regime.

Wilson’s actions have been heavily criticized by historians for directly contributing to the success of the coup and Madero’s downfall. By siding with the conservative forces opposed to Madero, Wilson effectively endorsed the return of authoritarian rule in Mexico.

 

Madero’s Capture and Assassination

By February 18, the tide had turned decisively against Madero. General Aureliano Blanquet, a supporter of Huerta, arrested Madero and his vice president, José María Pino Suárez, in the National Palace. With their capture, the coup was all but complete. Madero and Pino Suárez were pressured into resigning, under the impression that they would be allowed to go into exile.

However, just days after stepping down from office, both Madero and Pino Suárez were assassinated on February 22, 1913. Official reports claimed that they were killed while being transferred to prison, but the circumstances surrounding their deaths were highly suspicious. Many believe that Huerta ordered their murders to eliminate any possibility of Madero’s return to power.

The assassination of Madero and his vice president shocked Mexico and deepened the political crisis engulfing the nation. While Madero had faced significant opposition during his presidency, his murder was viewed by many as a heinous act of betrayal and signaled the complete breakdown of constitutional government.

Huerta’s Regime and Aftermath of the Coup

Following Madero’s death, Victoriano Huerta assumed the presidency with the backing of conservative elites, most Mexican state governors, and foreign powers, including the United States and Germany. However, Huerta’s rule would be short-lived and highly contested. Rather than bringing stability to Mexico, Huerta’s presidency reignited revolutionary fervor, leading to the third phase of the Mexican Revolution.

Revolutionary leaders from across Mexico, including Venustiano Carranza, Álvaro Obregón, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata, refused to recognize Huerta’s government and began organizing opposition forces. Carranza, in particular, emerged as the leader of the Constitutionalist Army, which sought to restore democratic rule and enforce the ideals of the Mexican Revolution. The ensuing conflict between Huerta’s regime and the revolutionary armies led to widespread violence and civil war, further destabilizing the country.

Internationally, Huerta faced challenges as well. While the U.S. initially supported his government, the election of Woodrow Wilson as U.S. president in March 1913 changed the course of American foreign policy. Unlike his predecessor, President Wilson refused to recognize Huerta’s regime, viewing it as illegitimate due to the violent means by which it had come to power. This refusal further weakened Huerta’s position and made it difficult for him to consolidate control over Mexico.

The Significance of the Ten Tragic Days

The Ten Tragic Days is remembered as one of the bloodiest and most destructive episodes in the Mexican Revolution. The ten days of fighting in Mexico City left hundreds of civilians dead and caused extensive damage to the capital’s infrastructure. The coup also represented a critical moment in the revolution’s trajectory, marking the end of the brief democratic experiment under Francisco Madero and the return to authoritarian rule under Huerta.

The political and moral consequences of the Ten Tragic Days were equally significant. Madero’s assassination shocked many Mexicans and radicalized revolutionary leaders who had initially been willing to work within the constitutional framework. The brutality of the coup demonstrated the lengths to which Mexico’s conservative forces would go to maintain their grip on power. It also highlighted the fragility of democracy in Mexico during this period, as even a democratically elected president like Madero could be easily overthrown by military force and foreign interference.

In the broader context of the Mexican Revolution, the Ten Tragic Days can be seen as a key turning point that deepened the conflict and prolonged the revolution. The failure of Madero’s government and the violence that followed highlighted the difficulties of achieving meaningful political and social reform in Mexico. It would take several more years of civil war, with various factions vying for control, before a new order was established under the revolutionary Constitution of 1917.

Legacy of the Ten Tragic Days

The legacy of the Ten Tragic Days is complex and contested. For some, the event represents a tragic betrayal of the democratic ideals that Francisco Madero had sought to promote. Madero’s brief presidency is often remembered as a missed opportunity for peaceful reform and progress in Mexico. His assassination, in particular, has been viewed as a symbol of the deep-seated resistance to change among Mexico’s conservative elites.

For others, the Ten Tragic Days marked a necessary, though painful, phase in Mexico’s revolutionary process. The collapse of Madero’s government and the rise of Huerta set the stage for the emergence of more radical revolutionary leaders like Carranza, Obregón, and Zapata, who would eventually push through the reforms that Madero had been unable to achieve.

Ultimately, the Ten Tragic Days serves as a reminder of the immense challenges faced by Mexico during its revolutionary period. The violence, political intrigue, and foreign intervention that characterized this ten-day coup reflect the broader struggles of a nation seeking to define its future in the face of deeply entrenched social and economic inequalities. The event’s lasting impact on Mexican history underscores the importance of the Mexican Revolution as a transformative, yet tumultuous, period in the nation’s development.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who were the main figures behind the Ten Tragic Days?

The main figures behind the coup were General Victoriano Huerta, General Félix Díaz (nephew of former president Porfirio Díaz), and General Bernardo Reyes. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Henry Lane Wilson, also played a crucial role by supporting the conspirators and helping to mediate critical decisions during the coup.

What role did the U.S. Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson play in the coup?

Henry Lane Wilson was strongly opposed to Madero’s presidency and supported the coup. He mediated between the rebel leaders, particularly Díaz and Huerta, to ensure the success of the coup. He helped arrange the Pact of the Embassy, which confirmed Huerta as the new leader of Mexico.

What triggered the Ten Tragic Days?

The coup was triggered by political and military forces opposed to Francisco I. Madero’s presidency. Rebel generals Félix Díaz and Bernardo Reyes escaped from prison and rallied forces to create chaos in Mexico City, aiming to pressure Madero into resigning.

How did the violence during the Ten Tragic Days affect Mexico City?

The violence during the Ten Tragic Days caused extensive damage to Mexico City. Artillery and rifle fire led to the deaths and injuries of many civilians, and major destruction occurred in the city’s downtown area. The fighting was primarily between Madero’s supporters and the rebels.

How did General Victoriano Huerta betray President Madero during the coup?

General Huerta, who was supposed to be defending Madero’s government, secretly aligned with the rebels. He later defected to the opposition, leading to Madero’s arrest and ultimately his removal from power.

What was the Pact of the Embassy?

The Pact of the Embassy was an agreement mediated by U.S. Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson between General Huerta and General Félix Díaz. It established Huerta as the leader of Mexico after Madero’s overthrow. This pact was signed at the U.S. embassy on February 19, 1913.

What happened to Francisco Madero after he was overthrown?

After Madero was arrested, he hoped to go into exile, but on February 22, 1913, he and his vice president, José María Pino Suárez, were murdered under suspicious circumstances, shocking many Mexicans and further destabilizing the country.

Who assumed power after Madero’s assassination?

After Madero’s assassination, General Victoriano Huerta assumed the presidency with the support of foreign powers like the United States and Germany, as well as conservative Mexican governors. However, Huerta’s regime was short-lived.

What was the reaction of revolutionary forces after Huerta took power?

Revolutionary forces in northern and southern Mexico, led by figures like Venustiano Carranza, Álvaro Obregón, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata, refused to recognize Huerta’s authority. They initiated a civil war to overthrow Huerta and restore revolutionary ideals.

How did U.S. President Woodrow Wilson respond to Huerta’s regime?

After taking office in March 1913, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson refused to recognize Huerta’s regime, citing its undemocratic nature. Wilson’s refusal to support Huerta further isolated the regime and contributed to its eventual downfall.

Why is the Ten Tragic Days considered a significant moment in the Mexican Revolution?

The Ten Tragic Days marked the violent end of Francisco Madero’s democratic experiment and led to the rise of Victoriano Huerta’s dictatorship. It set the stage for prolonged conflict, political instability, and civil war in Mexico, making it a pivotal moment in the revolution.

What impact did the Ten Tragic Days have on Mexican history?

The Ten Tragic Days led to greater political instability and intensified the Mexican Revolution. The betrayal and violence during this period paved the way for continued civil war, ultimately shaping Mexico’s political landscape for years to come.