How did the US respond to the Mexican Revolution?

The US responded to the Mexican Revolution by adopting a policy of watchful waiting, intervening militarily when necessary.

The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, was a period of great political and social upheaval in Mexico. The United States, as a neighbouring country with significant economic and political interests in Mexico, was deeply affected by these events. The US response to the Mexican Revolution was largely shaped by its foreign policy at the time, which was characterised by a combination of non-interventionism and assertive diplomacy.

Initially, the US adopted a policy of 'watchful waiting', observing the situation in Mexico without directly intervening. This was in line with President Woodrow Wilson's belief in the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. However, the US was not entirely passive during this period. It provided covert support to certain factions in the Mexican Revolution, particularly those that were seen as more favourable to US interests.

The situation changed in 1914 when the Tampico Incident, a minor skirmish between US sailors and Mexican troops, escalated into a diplomatic crisis. In response, the US launched a military intervention, occupying the port city of Veracruz for several months. This intervention was justified on the grounds of protecting American lives and property in Mexico, but it was also motivated by a desire to prevent German influence in Mexico, as World War I was underway in Europe.

The US continued to intervene in Mexican affairs throughout the revolution, both directly and indirectly. In 1916, in response to a raid on the US town of Columbus by Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, the US launched a punitive expedition into Mexico. This military action, known as the Pershing Expedition, was unsuccessful in capturing Villa but marked a significant escalation in US involvement in the Mexican Revolution.

In summary, the US response to the Mexican Revolution was a complex mix of non-interventionism and assertive diplomacy, shaped by a combination of domestic political considerations, economic interests, and geopolitical concerns. The US was not a passive observer of the Mexican Revolution, but an active participant, intervening militarily when it deemed necessary and providing covert support to factions that were seen as favourable to its interests.