Porfirio Díaz was a significant figure in Mexican history, serving as the President of Mexico for over three decades, from 1876 to 1880 and again from 1884 to 1911. His presidency marked one of the longest periods of rule by a single person in Mexican history.
Born on September 15, 1830, in Oaxaca, Mexico, José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori initially pursued a career in law but was soon drawn into military service due to the turbulent political climate of the time. He rose to prominence during the Reform War (1857-1861), where he supported the Liberal faction against conservative forces.
During the French Intervention in Mexico, Díaz fought against the French-backed Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg. His military leadership was instrumental in the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862), although he did not command the battle directly.
The Porfiriato was marked by:
Díaz's refusal to step down in the 1910 elections, despite earlier promises, sparked the Mexican Revolution. This revolution was partly fueled by dissatisfaction with his regime's authoritarianism and the economic disparities it fostered. Facing increasing opposition, Díaz resigned in 1911 and went into exile in France, where he died in 1915.
Porfirio Díaz's legacy is complex. While he is credited with modernizing Mexico, his rule is also criticized for its lack of democratic practices, suppression of dissent, and the exacerbation of social inequalities which contributed to the Mexican Revolution.