The Impact and Political Outcome of the

Zapatista Guerrilla Movement in Mexico

Emiliano Zapata

August 8, 1879-April 10, 1919

(assassinated)

• “Peasant Hero of the Mexican Revolution”

• Organized and led peasants (native people) during this revolution

• Supported government reform and land redistribution

• Rallying cry: “Land and Freedom”

• Quote: “It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees.”

• The Zapatistas took their name from Emiliano Zapata.

• They support improved rights and living conditions for Mexico’s indigenous people.

• In the late twentieth century, they were notorious for their harassment and sabotage against the Mexican government.

• The Zapatistas took their name from Emiliano Zapata.

• They support improved rights and living conditions for Mexico’s indigenous people.

• In the late twentieth century, they were notorious for their harassment and sabotage against the Mexican government.

North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA)

• Effective January, 1, 1994

• Allowed free trading between Mexico, the United States and Canada.

• Zapatistas and other Mexicans thought that cheaper farm goods coming from the U. S. would harm poor Mexican farmers who could not compete with the lower prices.

• On the day NAFTA took effect, Zapatistas took control of some towns in southern Mexico.

• The Mexican army was sent to remove them.

• The fighting lasted several weeks until a cease-fire ended it.

• This was NOT the end of the Zapatistas!

• Agreements between the Zapatistas and government have not solved people’s problems.

• The Zapatistas still control small parts of southern Mexico.

• The Zapatistas argue that the indigenous people of Mexico need help to improve health care, housing, education and jobs.

• Agreements between the Zapatistas and government have not solved people’s problems.

• The Zapatistas still control small parts of southern Mexico.

• The Zapatistas argue that the indigenous people of Mexico need help to improve health care, housing, education and jobs.

Let’s see what you can recall . . .

1.The Zapatistas did not like NAFTA because they believed it would

A. mean U.S. factories would move to Mexico.

B. force Mexicans to move to the U.S.

C. hurt businesses in Canada.

D. cause poor Mexican farmers to go out of business.

Which group do the Zapatistas support?

A. Canadian farmers

B. U.S. factory workers

C. Indigenous people of Mexico

D. Poor farmers in the U.S.

Which group do the Zapatistas support?

A. Canadian farmers

B. U.S. factory workers

C. Indigenous people of Mexico

D. Poor farmers in the U.S.

Which is an area of concern for the Zapatistas?

A. acid rain

B. deforestation

C. housing

D. religion

What did the Zapatistas do to show they were against NAFTA?

A. Attacked government troops in Mexico City.

B. Took over several towns in southern Mexico.

C. Worked with the government on agreements to improve the rights of poor Mexicans.

What did the Zapatistas do to show they were against NAFTA?

A. Attacked government troops in Mexico City.

B. Took over several towns in southern Mexico.

C. Worked with the government on agreements to improve the rights of poor Mexicans.

The Zapatistas: Heroes or Villains?

Write a 5 – 7 sentence paragraph arguing why you think the

Zapatistas beliefs and actions make them heroes or villains. Support your opinion with facts from your

notes.

Who?

• Zapatista Army of National Liberation• Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional (ELN)

• Natives that were coffee growers• Poor people of the Chiapas

• Named after Emiliano Zapata- supporter of the Mexican Revolution

What?

• Zapatista Army declared war on the Mexican state of Chiapas. – They got the world’s attention by taken over several

Mexican cities and attacking their military posts. • The Mexican government sent soldiers and small battles

took place.• The Zapatista’s uprising failed, but they did get attention

from the world.

When?

January 1, 1994

Where?

• Chiapas, Mexico– Some of Mexico’s richest land

• Hydroelectric power• Natural Gas• Oil• Coffee

The sign reads:

You are in Zapatista rebel territory. Here the people give orders and the

government obeys.

• This makes the Chiapas home to some of the poorest people in Mexico.

– Hardest hit are people of Mayan descent.– Most do not speak Spanish– Small farms– Little access to education and healthcare

Why?

• They wanted more land.• NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement)

– They thought it would increase poverty

• Indigenous people (native americans) in the Chiapas felt that they were being treated like second class citizens

• They wanted more political democracy.– They felt that they were being ignored by the government.

• Ther best land for farming and ranching is controlled by a few wealthy land owners and they worked with the government to benefit themselves. (Think: Oligarchy)

• They wanted more money to help with poverty.

Outcome

• The world agreed with the Zapatistas.• The Mexican government has not done much to help.• They adopted non-violent strategies to get their voice

heard.• Internet• International speaking-educated people in Mexico

and around the world• The indigenous (natives) and peasants of Chiapas have

started their own health and education programs. • The uprising was a reminder of what can happen if

people are ignored.