The Mexican Oil Expropriation in 1938 and France Repercussions, Negotiations and Mexican Public Diplomacy

Abstract

This article describes the relations between Mexico and France after the petroleum expropriation decreed by Lázaro Cárdenas in 1938. It studies the bilateral negotiations to sell oil to France and the propaganda unfurled by transnational actors who intervened in France in defense of Mexico. It shows the capacity of action and the tools used by the Mexican government in defense of its own interests. Finally, it identifies the reasons of the French rejection to buy Mexican fuel, a decision linked to French general concerns rather than to Mexican inaction.