Historically, "Federales" was also the common term used for the regular Mexican Army (or Federal Army), especially during the 34-year rule of Porfirio Díaz until 1911. In part the expression served the purpose of distinguishing centrally controlled military units from provincial militias, or the rural mounted police (rurales). Following Díaz's overthrow by rebel forces led by Francisco Madero, the Federal Army remained in existence. The Federales were eventually disbanded in July and August 1914, after Madero's successor Victoriano Huerta was in turn defeated by an alliance of revolutionary forces.[1] The formal dissolution of the Federal Army was decreed by the Teoloyucan Treaties, signed on August 13, 1914.[2]
References
^P. Jowett, pp. 32–41 The Mexican Revolution 1910–1920, ISBN1-84176-989-4