Final answer:
The political landscape of Mexico from 1898 to 1914 was characterized by conflict between liberals and conservatives, the long rule of President Porfirio Díaz, the Mexican Revolution led by Francisco Madero against Díaz, and later revolutionary leaders Villa and Zapata, leading to significant political and social reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the period between 1898 and 1914, Mexico's political landscape was characterized by a sharp division between liberals and conservatives, influencing key events and political figures. The late 1800s saw the lengthy rule of President Porfirio Díaz, whose conservative regime favored wealthy landowners and businesses. This led to the controversial election of 1910, where Díaz won through rigged elections causing Francisco Madero, a liberal politician, to contest the results, triggering the Mexican Revolution. Eventually, Díaz was forced into exile in 1911, and Madero became President.
Following the upheaval, Mexico saw severe conflict with revolutions led by Pancho Villa and Emilio Zapata, resulting in President Madero's assassination in 1913. This period was marked by military regimes and social unrest. However, the revolution's social changes laid groundwork for future reforms like agrarian reform, labour rights, and state control over subsoil resources, as established in the Constitution of 1917 drafted under Alvaro Obregon's liberal leadership.
Across the broader Central American region, political developments varied, with countries such as Chile building coalition governments for stability, while others like Argentina faced political instability and military coups influenced by European fascism. The Mexican Revolution significantly influenced Latin America's political evolution, inspiring democratic reforms and the Nationalization of industries across the continent.