The Presidency of Mexican President Porfirio Diaz - Term Paper Example

The implication of dictatorship to development of a country President. Porfirio Diaz became the longest president in Mexico, ruling for 34 years. Hewanted to bring the country to an industrialized modern state to make it competitive with other countries. He brought peace and economic growth during his term in spite of unsatisfactory decisions and conditions that he made. He was a capable and charismatic leader, and almost succeeded in his plans and ambitions but failed in the end because he gave priority to economic development over social justice and human rights.1 The reasons for his failure will be covered in this topic and to know if economic gains were far more important than benefits for Mexicans. Economic development vs. humanity rights. Diaz, thru his autocratic rule made policies that he believed would bring economic developments to Mexico but at the same time limiting and denying the rights of Indians and the people. In 1884, when he returned for the second term of presidency, Diaz found the state in almost bankruptcy under the rule of Gonzales, his friend and an ally.2 He immediately introduced reforms and established a solid banking system. He was able to improve the tax collection systems and had abolished sales taxes, production taxes and state tariff .3 For the first time also the country had achieved a balanced national budget in 18844. In 1893, Mexico attained a stature of being one of the most prosperous nations in Latin America having attained budgetary surplus.5 Mexico became rich and became one of the world’s largest gold and silver producer. When Diaz relaxed the mining laws and allowed foreigners access to subsoil rights and ownership of oils and metals contained in the ground, the mining industry went into a boom period never realized in Mexico for four centuries. Díaz was able to make the Mexican peso in the ranks of strong currency as he placed Mexico under the international gold standard.6 Diaz implemented modernization program hoping to bring Mexico to a modern state level. 7 His host of advisers was composed of technocrats, which could be called today as scientists who embarked on program of railroad buildings and telegraph lines across the country. Under his administration also, the first railway was constructed, and the amount of railroad tracks increased by ten folds. Report says that these tracks remain operational until today.8 Under his rule, steam machines and technological appliances were introduced while at the same time inviting foreign investments to the country. As such foreign capital entered the country, factories were established, bringing forward urban development in Mexico.9 Foreign Investments He amended the laws to attract foreign investors and allowed them to own sub soils minerals, mines and oil fields. His laws of land reform allowed a big chunk of surveyed lands to be owned by foreigners. He assured his foreign friends that they would win against any lawsuit instigated by Indian Communities in trying to keep their land.10 By 1910, under Diaz rule, a landless rural population was created. The nation had 900 large land owners, while nine million out of total population of fifteen million lost their lands. It was at this stage that foreigners began to own much of the nation because of the policies enacted by Diaz.11        Abuse of human rights The economic policies of Diaz hurt most Mexicans, but Diaz and his advisers did not pay attention to their complaints. His advisers believed in the policy of “survival of the fittest wherein they said progress could only be attained through ruthless competition among individuals.” They also believed that Indian majority was not competent and eventually would lose the competition in resources.12 This belief holds true during his term of office, as “he did nothing to tackle racial divides…”13 His advisers thought that Mexico could be served well by foreigners, and delegate Indian tribes to an inferior roles. To support this policy, army campaigned against the Indian tribes and considered indigenous people as a burden to the nation.14 His economic decisions were not fair for Mexicans nor could rationality be explained. For instance, roads in Mexico did not improve. Road construction was not given particular attention in spite of the fact that people depended on it for transport of their goods and transportation. They remained in poor condition as they were in 1810, despite the fact that Mexico has asphalts and exporting them.15 Industrial workers and miners were silenced by the army when they complained for higher wages and policy requiring them to patronize company stores who often sold higher priced products. Implications of social injustices. There had been discontentment among the Mexicans, as they thought the policy of law and order meant nothing to them, and it was just economic and social disaster. The benefits of diversification and influx of foreign capitals were not felt by Mexicans because only the elite groups had gained from it and by the end of Diaz term, Mexico had a severe food shortage 16 By 1910, the average Mexican was worse off economically than he or she had been in 1810, as rural workers earned about the same wages they earned in 1810.17 The woes of economic problems started to appear, as there was an alarming rise in population, land reduced land productivity resulting to a low subsistence level of Mexican peasants, while the rich continue to be rich. The limited job opportunities for Mexicans in the railroad and the growing industries prompted many Mexicans to go to the US to find work. Education was not given importance, as illiteracy stood at about 87 percent18 The laws for land utilization favored only the rich19 as Diaz policy was to create efficient estates to produce export products. The laws required clear land titles, surveying and dissolution of communal holding which brought to the creation of big landholdings again depriving small holders. Public lands were sold to foreigners and Diaz’ cronies at bargain prices. Only the rich had the privilege to make loans for land improvement fro banks. It was common practice for rich family to own million acres of land, while the rural folks had only very little or almost none, thus creating a big gap on the standard of living. This policy of ownership of land ownership granting privileges for the rich became one of the reasons for rural Mexicans to worry and caused them to bind together for a revolutionary cause.20 The end of the dictatorship rule. Because of the continued anomalous governance of Diaz, dissatisfaction among the elite grew and was one of the reasons for a Mexican revolution that gave his downfall in 1910. When he gave a public interview in 1908 to James Creelman of Pearson’s Magazine, a popular US publication. Diaz said that he felt Mexico was ready for a democratic election in 1910 and hoped to have a “serious opposition” during the election.21 This interview precipitated presidential ambitions of his opponents. But Diaz was cunning as well, would send his opponents to foreign missions to clear them off their presidential intentions.         However, his destiny as President was about to end, with the appearance of Francisco L. Madero, son of one of the wealthiest family in Mexico, who got his studies in US and in France. He was an idealist who believed in democracy and thought that this could be done in Mexico. He was popular among the people and was very critical in Diaz administration. He became the opposition presidential candidate in 1910, but was thrown into jail by Diaz just before the election voting. Diaz controlled the election and announced himself as winner garnering one million votes as against the 196 votes of Madero. This number of votes could not be realistic as the Maderos were popular and had more friends and relatives than 196. Madero was let out of jail after Diaz had proclaimed independence. Madero fled to US wherein he declared himself as the legal president of Mexico and initiated a revolution on November 20, 1910.22 Diaz, now an old man of eighty years, had begun to lose his popularity and support from his alliances. This time he was losing the grip of the stability of his governance, and the return of Madero became a signal for a rebellion and his downfall. Accepting defeat, Diaz resigned on May 25, 1911 and was exiled to Europe. He died four years later on July 2, 1915 in Paris. Madero replaced him as president but was assassinated in 191323 The resignation of Diaz and subsequent assaasination of madero did not bring peace to Mexico as it had still suffered nine long years of “wicked revolution ahead of it.”24 Discussions Porfirio Diaz had every good intention to bring economic development to Mexico, and did not consider the consequences of his decisions to the minority group and to the people as well. His preconceived plans of prosperity did not materialize for many but was concentrated only to the elite. Weighing the result of his policy decisions, the following Mexican experiences could be drawn from the history of his administration. By 1910, average Mexican was worse off economically than 1810 Workers wages did not increase, the same as in 1810 Road conditions did not improve, the same as in 1810 Low land productivity High illiteracy rate of 87% Limited job opportunities resulting to immigration to US Landless rural population Racial discrimination Food scarcity at the end of term Stable banking system available only for the rich Improved tax collection Infrastructure development has improved Introduced modernization . In Mexican history, he is remembered not as a great president, but rather a greatest villain, that not even one monument was built for him25. Diaz could also be admired on the basis of his strength and will power to survive politics using dirty tactics and maneuverings. His strength lies on his allies who supported him, but whose support weakened as the sentiments of people against Diaz grew. Old age sapped his strength and energy to survive the last year of his term as well as miscalculations of his popularity and support of people. In finality, Diaz was the strong man of Mexico who despite efforts of modernization brought no personal economic gains for his own people. References Ask. Biography: Jose dela Cruz Porfirio Diaz, 09 Dec. 2008 Emerson Kent.Com. When it Takes a Revolution to Bring You Down History for the relaxed historian. 09 Dec. 2008 http://www.emersonkent.com/history_notes/porfirio_diaz.htm Marby, D. Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915) Mississippi State University. 09 Dec. 2008. Read More