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The years that followed were still more troubled. Between
1913 and 1920, 10 different presidents ruled the nation, as
revolutionary and government forces battled each other. Finally,
in 1920, Álvaro Obregón became president. His government
brought an end to the revolution and ushered in the modern era
in Mexican history.
The years since then, however, have been far from peaceful.
The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) controlled politics,
but under their leadership, the gap between the rich and the
poor continued to widen. In 1968, before the Summer Olympics
were scheduled to be held in Mexico City, the tension led to a student strike
that quickly turned into a riot. Several students were killed, and international
attention turned to Mexico’s problems.
In 1970 the discovery of new oil reserves combined with the rising prices of
oil to give Mexico’s economy a much-needed boost. However, the nation’s leaders
again made foolish choices that plunged their country’s economy into still
19
The History of Mexico
The rebel leader Francisco
“Pancho” Villa is fourth
from left in this photo. Villa
was one of the most famous
leaders of the Mexican
Revolution between 1910
and 1920.
Álvaro Obregón