The Ten Tragic Days, known in Spanish as "La Decena Trágica," was a pivotal and tumultuous event in Mexican history that took place from February 9 to February 19, 1913. This series of events occurred in Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution and resulted in the overthrow of President Francisco I. Madero.
The backdrop for these tragic events was the ongoing instability following the ousting of the long-time dictator Porfirio Díaz in 1911. After the revolution, Madero became president, promising democratic reforms but faced opposition from various factions who felt he was too conciliatory towards the old regime and not radical enough in his reforms.
The aftermath of the Ten Tragic Days saw a brief period of military rule by Huerta, who attempted to consolidate power. However, his regime was immediately contested by revolutionary leaders like Venustiano Carranza, Pancho Villa, and Emiliano Zapata, leading to further conflicts and eventually Huerta's ouster in 1914.
The Ten Tragic Days are remembered for the betrayal, the bloodshed, and the pivotal change in the course of the Mexican Revolution. It marked the end of the relatively peaceful period of Madero's presidency and ushered in a phase of intense civil strife, which would continue until the end of the revolution in 1920. The event also highlighted the complexities of power struggles and the fragility of revolutionary governments in Mexico during that era.