Díaz, (José de la Cruz) Porfirio

Díaz, (José de la Cruz) Porfirio (b. 15 Sept. 1830, d. 2 July 1915). President of Mexico 1877–80, 1884–1911 Born in Oaxaca de Juárez, the professor of law was in 1867 one of the principal architects of the overthrow of the French-backed Emperor Maximilian (b. 1832, d. 1867). Ten years later he organized a coup in which he declared himself President, after which he ruled for thirty-four years (1880–4 through a puppet president). By quashing all opposition he stabilized a country which had been in almost constant turmoil since independence in 1821. Through his programme of economic liberalization the economy underwent significant transformation. Largely with the help of foreign capital, oil resources were explored, railways built, and mining encouraged. In agriculture, small farmers were bullied into selling their land to large landowners, a measure which increased agricultural efficiency, but which also created tremendous social problems through leaving the majority of all farmers landless by 1910. In addition, economic problems and increased political repression lost him the crucial support of much of the middle classes. His downfall in 1911 was caused by the Mexican Revolution, which was triggered by the opposition of members of the elite led by Francesco I. Madero, and was encouraged by the popular discontent fostered by the failure of the masses to benefit from his economic reforms. He died in exile in Paris.