- From the municipal council to the governor of Oaxaca
- From exile to president of Mexico
- The presidency of Benito Juárez
- References
Benito Juárez (1806-1872) was one of the most important political figures of the 19th century in Mexico. This national hero was born in the isolated Oaxacan town of Guelatao.
The future president of the nation spoke the indigenous Zapotec language. Juárez moved to the city of Oaxaca, where he learned to speak Spanish and obtained an education.
He enrolled to study law at the Oaxaca Institute of Arts and Sciences, which by then was a hotbed of liberal ideas.
Starting in 1832, with the membership in the municipal council of the city of Oaxaca, he began his political career.
This race led him to the presidential chair and to carry out several constitutional reforms to create a democratic federal republic.
From the municipal council to the governor of Oaxaca
Benito Juárez climbed political positions quickly. As a member of the Oaxaca City Council, he actively participated in the political sphere at both the city and state levels.
After receiving his law degree with honors in 1834, he became a state court magistrate.
From that position, he continued his work in defense of the rights of the natives and the improvement of their living conditions.
In 1846 the Liberal Party took power. In 1847 and 1848, during Mexico's war with the United States, Benito Juárez became interim governor of Oaxaca and was later elected governor.
He remained in that position until 1852. During that time he reduced corruption and built roads, public buildings and schools.
When he left office, the economy of Oaxaca was in good shape. His state government was distinguished by its honesty, spirit of public service, and constructiveness.
From exile to president of Mexico
In 1853 the Conservative Party took power with a coup. One of the leaders of the revolt was Antonio López de Santa Anna.
Seeking to strengthen his power, General Santa Anna immediately exiled the leaders of the Liberal Party, including Juárez.
However, in 1855 the government of Santa Anna collapsed. Then, Benito Juárez returned from exile.
Soon the country ratified a new Constitution and the Liberal Party was back in power. Juárez was named president of the Supreme Court. In 1857, the presidency of Juan Álvarez ended with his retirement.
Mexico entered a period of internal turmoil, known as the War of the Reform, in which a bloody power struggle was waged between political factions. When it was over, Juárez emerged as president of Mexico.
The presidency of Benito Juárez
The War of Reform had destroyed the Mexican economy. In late 1861 Britain, Spain, and France sent troops to Mexico to collect the large sums of money the nation owed them.
The British and Spanish withdrew, but the French fought their way to the capital in 1863. They were welcomed by the Conservatives, and Juárez and his government were forced to flee.
Then, with the support of many Mexican conservatives, Fernando Maximiliano and his wife Carlota were crowned emperors of Mexico.
Juárez resisted the French occupation and worked to overthrow the Emperor Maximilian. Finally he forced the emperor to flee the capital. Maximilian was captured and executed in 1867.
Benito Juárez was reelected to the presidency in 1867 and 1871, but did not complete his last term. On July 18, 1872, while working at his desk, he suffered a heart attack.
References
- Russell, P. (2015). The Essential History of Mexico: From Pre-Conquest to Present. New York: Routledge.
- Vanderwood, P. (2010). Betterment for Whom? The reform period: 1855-75. In WH Beezley and M. Meyer (editors), The Oxford History of Mexico. New York: Oxford University Press.
- The famous people. (2017, November 07). Benito Juarez Biography. Retrieved on December 5, 2017, from thefamouspeople.com
- Encyclopedia of World Biographies. (s / f). Benito Juárez Biography. Retrieved on December 5, 2017, from notablebiographies.com
- Biography. (2017, January 19). Benito Juárez biography. Retrieved on December 5, 2017, from biography.com
- Minster, C. (2017, March 06). Benito Juárez: Mexico's Liberal Reformer. Retrieved on December 5, 2017, from thoughtco.com