Porfirio Diaz
Porfirio Díaz Mori (1830-1915) was a Mexican general, president, politician and dictator. He ruled Mexico with an iron fist for 35 years from 1876 to 1911. His period of rule, referred to as the Porfiriato, was marked by great progress and modernization and the Mexican economy boomed. Many people were against Diaz especially the peons who were forced into virtual labor by him. He lost power in 1910-1911 after rigging an election against Francisco I. Madero, which brought about the Mexican Revolution. During his reign as leader, Diaz's true vocation was military. As a young general, Diaz was a key figure in the defeat of French forces in the battle that is now commemorated every year by mexicans on "Cinco de mayo". The Battle of Puebla marked the start of Diaz's fame and cemented his repuatation as one of the best military minds serving under Juarez. Diaz continued to fight for the liberal side during the brief rule of Maximilian of Austria. Later, Diaz ran against Juarez. When he lost, Diaz rebelled and it took four months for Juarez to put the insurrection down. In 1872, Juarez died suddenly and Diaz started plotting his return to power. With support from the U.S and the United States, Diaz brought an army into Mexico City removing President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada and seizing power in a dubious “election.” He would remain in power up until 1911. Díaz created an economic boom by allowing foreign investment to develop Mexico's vast resources. Money flowed in from the United States and Europe. With this money, Diaz built many public works including, mines, plantations, and factories. With the flourishing of money and the building of all these projects, cities filled in with people and the need for transportation increased. Railway lines were built connecting cities from all over because of this. In 1910, a writer and spiritualist from a wealthy family, Francisco I. Madero, ran againest Diaz after he announced free and fair elections. Díaz had Madero arrested and stole the election when it became apparent that Madero would win. Madero, freed, fled to the United States and declared himself the winner and called for armed revolution. In Morelos, Emiliano Zapata quickly sided to fight with Madero. In the north, warlords Pancho Villa and Pascual Orozco took to the field with their powerful armies. Although the Mexican army leaders were strong, the soldiers were not for they were sickly and poorly trained. Madero over time grew closer and closer to Mexico City. In May of 1911, Díaz knew that he had been defeated and was allowed to go into exile. Diaz was a man who repaired Mexico's economy and helped Mexico prosper but at the same time, may have ruined Mexico. Diaz is seen by most people as a positive person. But then again, there are always multiple opinions to one person or thing.
"Biography of Porfirio Diaz." About.com Latin American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
<http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/presidentsofmexico/p/08pordiazbio.htm>.