The Dilemma of Revolution and Stabilisation: Mexico and the European Powers in the Obregón-Calles Era, 1920-28

This thesis seeks to offer a comparative analysis of Mexican-European Powers relations from 1920 to 1928. These were dominated by the dilemma of revolution and stabilisation. While the Mexican governments of Adolfo de la Huerta, Álvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles were committed to defend the national revolutionary programme, embedded in the Constitution of 1917, they also wanted to continue the modernisation project of the country, for which foreign economic interests and intellectual discussions on modernity, social democracy and national identity were primordial. For their part, German, French and British governments needed to weigh whether to defend their economic and cultural presence with regard to revolutionary Mexico and the disruptions caused by the Great War, by having friendly relations, accepting the new conditions or pressuring to reverse changes. Besides, the contact between Mexico and the European Powers was profoundly influenced by the new international reconfiguration in which the United States, Soviet Russia and the League of Nations played a prominent role. The ways in which politicians, diplomats, businessmen, intellectuals, artists and journalists worked to improve bilateral links in regards to politics, economy and culture will be presented. This will be achieved through a diplomatic history approach and taking into consideration the interactions of international relations. The thesis first problematises the question of diplomatic recognition which was related to the negotiations of the debt, Article 27 of the Constitution and claims by foreigners. Afterwards, governmental and transnational efforts to increase economic relations are explored. These were as varied as the establishment of more consulates, the creation of chambers of commerce, and negotiations for new treaties of Amity, Commerce and Navigation. Lastly, diplomatic attempts to increase cultural understandings are discussed. These ranged over topics such as representations in the press, theatre and films, as well as cooperation in technical and military education.