State Reform during the Provisional Presidency: Chihuahua, 1911
rTI HE ANTI-REEELECTIONIST movement of Francisco I. Madero won political power in 1911 by defeating the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz in the first of a series of rebellions and civil wars collectively known as the Mexican Revolution. Beyond seizing national authority, Madero's achievements were limited. After his victory he turned over political authority to a caretaker government until national presidential elections could be held which would give him a constitutional basis for power. This decision handicapped the accomplishment of his modest political reforms. During the interim presidency of Francisco Leon de la Barra Madero 's revolutionary movement began to come apart, while the previous Porfirian bureaucracy remained unchallenged. Upon assuming the presidency Madero was unable to cope with conservative hostility and revolutionary disaffection, which finally brought about the collapse of his government and his assassination in February 1913. Lack of perspicacity and unpolitic decisions characterized his national administration. But while national developments may account for his failure, they tend to obscure the dynamics of the Madero Revolution. By reasserting the federalist structure of the Constitution of 1857 and temporarily withdrawing from national authority, Madero provided an opportunity for state administrations to initiate reform programs during the provisional presidency. As a case study, the gubernatorial regime in Chihuahua illustrates the dramatic developments of the revolutionary movement in one state from the resignation of Porfirio Diaz until the inauguration of Madero as president. In November 1911 Madero appointed Abraham Gonzalez provisional goovernor of his native state.' Gonzalez had been an