The United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution was varied. The United States relationship with Mexico has often been turbulent. For both economic and political reasons, the American government generally supported those who occupied the seats of power, whether they held that power legitimately or not. Prior to Woodrow Wilson's inauguration, the US military focused mainly on just warning the Mexican military that decisive action from the US military would take place if lives and property of North Americans living in the country were endangered. President William Howard Taft sent more troops to the US-Mexico border but did not allow them to intervene in the conflict, a move which Congress opposed. Twice during the Revolution, the U.S. sent troops into Mexico.
The U.S. had helped the Mexicans achieve independence and supported Juárez in his overthrow of emperor Maximilian, but had also forcefully annexed half of Mexico's territory after the Mexican American War and supported dictators like Porfirio Díaz, while its ambassador to Mexico, acting without authority, conspired to assassinate legitimate president Francisco Madero. The United States had also sent troops to bomb and occupy Veracruz and engaged in cross-border skirmishes with Francisco "Pancho" Villa and others.
| A graphical timeline is available at Timeline of the Mexican Revolution |
Read more about United States Involvement In The Mexican Revolution: Non-Political Motivations For American Involvement, Diplomatic Background, Foreign Mercenaries in Mexico
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