Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2013
Most of the academic work on the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) has focused on sociopolitical and military affairs; few scholars have considered the economic aspects of the period. Even though business historians know now that the Revolution did not bring generalized chaos or total destruction of manufacturing, we still need more research on economic issues. This article analyzes the evolution of the businesses of the Braniff family, as well as their involvement in politics once the regime of Porfirio Díaz collapsed. It examines the Braniffs' political ideas, their strategies to gain power, and their support of the political faction favorable to their interests. The article exposes the tactics the family used to guarantee the safety of their businesses, the losses they suffered, and the new ventures they made after the Revolution.
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56 The Compañía Ingeniera Importadora y Contratista S.A., was successor to G. & O. Braniff. File 16-12-33, AHSRE.
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66 Letter from Salvador Martínez Alonso to Isidro Fabela, 4 Dec. 1914, L. E. 808 R. File 1, p. 16, AHSRE.
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68 Óscar Braniff to Felix Sommerfeld, 15 Jan. 1915, AB.
69 Letter from John D. Rodgers to Cándido Aguilar, 13 Apr. 1915, File 12-27-5, AHSRE.
70 Letter from Óscar Braniff to Felix Sommerfeld, 1 Mar. 1915, AB.
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72 Typewritten document on recognition of Carranza (n. p., n. d.), AB.
73 Memorandum, 24 Jan. 1916, AB.
74 Letter from Lansing to the Secretary of the Interior, with memorandum by Tomás Braniff annexed, 812.00/20 000, NA.
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