Definition of Cristero War

Between 1926 and 1929, Mexican Catholics took up arms against the anticlerical laws promoted by the government led by General Plutarco Elías Calles. This confrontation is known as the War of the Cristeros, Cristero War or Cristiada

The war development

President Calles began his period of government with important social reforms to consolidate the revolutionary ideals of the previous stage. However, he maintained a belligerent stance against the Catholic Church. In fact, the government launched the so-called "Law Calles ", by which the Liberty religious.

This situation provoked a reaction from the church of Rome, which issued slogans so that Mexican Catholics will not respect the "Calles Law". In different Mexican territories, Catholics formed a movement popular insurgent, because they understood that religious freedom was threatened. In that context a association of Catholics known as "The League of Religious Defense", whose members opposed the measures of the government and other Catholic groups that wanted to separate from the Church of Rome. East

weather effervescence made the government take the decision to prohibit worship in churches. The parishioners began to mobilize and thus the "Cristero War" began.

On the battlefields, Mexican army troops and armed peasants clashed in defense of the Catholic faith

The peasants popularized two slogans in defense of Catholic ideals: "Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!" and "Long live Christ the King!" This last cry was the one that gave name to the popular denomination of Cristeros or Cristiada.

The Cristeros were persecuted by the Mexican army, intense shootings took place in the streets, churches remained closed and many Catholics were executed.

La Cristiada was especially intense in the Jalisco region, as Jalisco Catholics formed the called "Popular Union", a very combative peasant organization against the military forces governmental. An estimated 200,000 Mexicans lost their lives in the conflict.

The end of the conflict

In 1929 the presidential term of Plutarco Elías Calles ended and the new interim president (Emilio Portes Gil) reached an agreement with representatives of the Catholic Church so that religious services could be resumed with normal. The understanding between the church and the government marked the end of the "Cristero War."

In 2012 the movie "Cristiada" appeared on Mexican screens, a film that has been criticized for its Hollywood style and poor fidelity to authentic historical events.

Photos: Fotolia - Indigo - Christ

Themes in Cristero War