Forge of Progress, Crucible of Revolt

Following the arrival of the railroad in the early 1880's, the Laguna quickly became the nation's leading cotton-producing area, as well as a regional center for manufacturing, mining and smelting, and rubber refining. By 1910 it boasted the fastest growing city in Mexico, and the largest foreign population outside of Mexico City.

The region's economic transformation yielded uneven benefits, which in turn precipitated deep social and political tensions. It is against this background that the Revolution began with Francisco Madero's challenge to Diaz's re-election.