Francisco José Múgica facts for kids
Francisco José Múgica Velázquez (born September 3, 1884 – died April 12, 1954) was an important Mexican soldier and politician. He played a big part in the Mexican Revolution. He helped write the Constitution of Mexico in 1917.
Múgica was known for his strong ideas. He served as governor of Tabasco and Michoacán. He also governed the Territory of Baja California Sur and the Islas Marías. Múgica was a key advisor to Lázaro Cárdenas. Cárdenas later became president of Mexico. Múgica worked in Cárdenas's government from 1934 to 1940. He led the departments of National Economy and Communications.
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Early Life and Education
Francisco Múgica was born in Tingüindín, Michoacán. His father was a teacher. This meant Múgica moved often and went to many different schools. After finishing his early studies, he became a journalist. He wrote for several liberal newspapers. One famous newspaper was Regeneración, run by Enrique Flores Magón. In Zamora, Michoacan, he studied at a seminary. He also started a small newspaper there. This newspaper spoke out against the government of Porfirio Díaz.
Role in the Mexican Revolution
Years later, Múgica moved to Mexico City. There, he met people who were planning the Mexican Revolution. In 1910, he traveled to San Antonio, Texas. He helped organize meetings for the revolution. He joined forces with Pascual Orozco. Together, they took control of what is now Ciudad Juárez in 1911.
Later, with Lucio Blanco, Múgica helped with the first land distribution. This happened in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, in 1913. He then took on many military roles. He became a general and worked closely with Venustiano Carranza and Alvaro Obregón. He led revolutionary forces in Michoacán. There, he met Lázaro Cárdenas. Múgica became a very important mentor to Cárdenas.
Múgica's military career sometimes caused disagreements. After his military service, he was in charge of the Heroic Military Academy (Mexico). He also served as a commander in the South. He was Governor of Tabasco and President of the Military Court.
Political Career and Influence
Múgica was a key member of the Constituent Congress of 1917. This group wrote the new Mexican Constitution. He was known for his strong opinions and debates. He helped shape parts of the constitution. These parts covered religion, politics, economy, and education. His ideas are found in Articles 3, 27, and 123 of the Constitution of the United Mexican States.
Múgica briefly served as Governor of Michoacán from 1920 to 1921.
Working with President Cárdenas
On December 1, 1934, Lázaro Cárdenas became president of Mexico. Cárdenas chose Múgica to be the Secretary of the National Economy. Múgica quickly became known as one of Cárdenas's most loyal cabinet members. At this time, former president Plutarco Elías Calles still had a lot of power. This period was called the Maximato. Calles tried to control presidents even after leaving office.
Múgica strongly supported Cárdenas in ending Calles's influence. In mid-1935, Múgica helped create a crisis. He shared statements made by Calles that were not popular with workers. Unions protested strongly against Calles. This helped Cárdenas remove Calles's influence. Cárdenas asked his entire cabinet to resign. He removed all officials loyal to Calles. This included Calles's son. Cárdenas then appointed Múgica to lead the Secretariat of Communications and Public Works.
Presidential Candidacy
As the 1940 elections approached, many saw Múgica as a possible successor to Cárdenas. He shared many of Cárdenas's ideas for big reforms. Múgica was considered for president in 1939. However, Cárdenas chose General Manuel Avila Camacho instead. Camacho was seen as more moderate. Múgica was thought to be more radical than Cárdenas. His supporters believed he would continue Cárdenas's social work. But his opponents worried he would make Mexico too much like the Soviet Union. Múgica decided not to run and supported Avila Camacho.
By 1939, Cárdenas's popularity had dropped. Two right-wing figures, Joaquín Amaro and Juan Andrew Almazán, were gaining support. Cárdenas realized that Múgica's candidacy might not be well received. He needed a candidate who could unite the country. Camacho, who was the Secretary of Defense, was chosen. Múgica withdrew his candidacy and supported Ávila Camacho.
After the 1940 election, Ávila Camacho won. Múgica was a challenging figure for the new government. He had been a strong competitor. He also represented the "old" ideas that Ávila Camacho wanted to move away from. But Múgica's history and influence meant he could not be ignored. The solution was to appoint him Governor of the Territory of Baja California Sur. This was a remote and less developed area. He served there from 1940 to 1946.
Later Life
In the years before his death, Múgica worked on private projects. He also managed several prisons, including those on the Islas Marías. He passed away in Mexico City at the age of 69.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco J. Múgica para niños
- Baja California Sur
- List of governors of dependent territories in the 20th century
