For Christ and Country
Militant Catholic Youth in Post-Revolutionary Mexico

Explores the religious world of the young urban Catholics who conspired to kill Mexican President Álvaro Obregón in 1928.

Robert Weis (Author)

9781108730358, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 March 2021

216 pages
23 x 15 x 1.5 cm, 0.33 kg

'… exemplary … For Christ and Country is a very useful, important, and engaging contribution to the historiography.' Edward Wright-Rios, Hispanic American Historical Review

Why did José de León Toral kill Álvaro Obregón, leader of the Mexican Revolution? So far, historians have characterized the motivations of the young Catholic militant as the fruit of fanaticism. This book offers new insights on how diverse sectors experienced the aftermath of the Revolution by exploring the religious, political, and cultural contentions of the 1920s. Far from an isolated fanatic, León Toral represented a generation of Mexicans who believed that the revolution had unleashed ancient barbarism, sinful consumerism, and anticlerical tyranny. Facing attacks against the Catholic essence of Mexican nationalism, they emphasized asceticism, sacrifice, and the redemptive potential of violence. Their reckless enthusiasm to launch assaults was a sign of their devotion. León Toral insisted that 'only God' was his accomplice; in fact, he was cheered by thousands who dreamed of bringing the Kingdom of Christ to beleaguered Mexico.

Introduction
1. Catholics and anticlericals: from reforma to revolution
2. The enforcement of anticlericalism
3. Sugar Catholics
4. Imprudent youth
5. Martyrdom
6. Trial
Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Christianity [HRC], Religion & beliefs [HR], History of the Americas [HBJK], Regional & national history [HBJ], History [HB], Humanities [H]