Born in Oaxaca City on September 16, 1830; the longest-tenured ruler of Mexico’s “democratic republic” (35 years), Porfirio Diaz. was a polarizing and enigmatic figure throughout his reign where he oversaw the countries’ transition from political unrest and imperial conquest to a transformation that included building railroads, schools, infrastructure, and beginnings of oil industries, and welcomed foreign investment which boosted Mexico’s economy and industry to all-time highs.
Although the country entered this industrial revolution the elite were those who prospered most, which further impacted the conditions of peasants, indigenous people, and laborers throughout the country leading to unrest as they had to work to stay alive.
Diaz believed that the Mexican people were not ready for Democracy and they still had much to learn before they were awarded the freedom to vote and of the press, which culminated in a dictatorship (how ironic, huh?) This industrial progress overshadowed the social injustice and inequality that was ensuing which provided a platform for the Mexican Revolution which would change the course of the country for the next century. Diaz had the best intentions but the amount of power he harnessed blinded him to the injustices that were occurring at the very bottom of the totem pole. After increasing pressure from the rebels, Diaz issued the Treaty of Ciudad Juarez, which ended his rule and exiled him to France with his family. Before leaving the country through the Port of Veracruz, Diaz ordered a cup of coffee along with sweet bread and papaya as he prepared to leave his beloved country forever.
