The Impact and Political Outcome of the

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The Impact and Political Outcome of the
Zapatista Guerrilla Movement in Mexico
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• 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.

Emiliano Zapata August 8, 1879-April 10, 1919
(assassinated)
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• The Zapatistas took their name from Emiliano
  Zapata.
• They support improved rights and living
  conditions for Mexicos indigenous people.
• In the late twentieth century, they were
  notorious for their harassment and sabotage
  against the Mexican government.

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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.

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• 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!

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• Agreements between the Zapatistas and government
  have not solved peoples 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.

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Lets see what you can recall . . .

• 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.

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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.
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Which is an area of concern for the
Zapatistas? A. acid rain B. deforestation C.
housing D. religion
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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.
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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.
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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

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What?

• Zapatista Army declared war on the Mexican state
  of Chiapas.
• They got the worlds attention by taken over
  several Mexican cities and attacking their
  military posts.
• The Mexican government sent soldiers and small
  battles took place.
• The Zapatistas uprising failed, but they did get
  attention from the world.

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When?

• January 1, 1994

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Where?

• Chiapas, Mexico
• Some of Mexicos 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.
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• 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

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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.

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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.