College of Science, Technology

& Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago

ASSIGNMENT COVER PAGE

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PAPER: PORFIRIO DIAZ

COURSE CODE: HIST 225

COURSE TITLE: LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY 1

CRN: 16806

LECTURER’S NAME: KIM De Silva

STUDENT NAMES: ZAINAB SALAM

STUDENT ID # 00059066

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Porfirio Diaz was a great leader of Mexico. His Porfiriato modernized and developed

Mexico

Porfirio Diaz a mestizo, was one of Mexico’s prominent rulers who ruled for thirty-five years

from 1876. He rose to the position of general in the army due to his exceptional ability and

ambition. He has been demonized as a dictator who served and developed only one group of

people in Mexico-the rich, while the poor remained living in deplorable conditions. The

disparity between the rich and poor was evident however, although this may be true history

has also recorded that Porfirio Diaz was a great Politian who undoubtedly was responsible for

many economic and social benefits in Mexico. Such developments included foreign

investments, transportation, communication and many social programs as well.

Prior to Diaz leadership, Mexico had lived through a century of civil war, anarchy and chaos

and with his leadership and the advice from the Cientificos 1, the country experienced positive

steps towards modernization and industrialization. Diaz and the Cientificos adopted the

“scientific” principles in order to facilitate economic advancements because of the history of

independent Mexico; numerous revolts were carried out by various political groups for

wealth and power. The “Cientificos” hoped to restrict conflicts that had destroyed and

stunned the growth of Mexico for decades.

Mexico had experienced years of conflicts between centralists and regionalists, and then

between liberals and conservatives. These civil conflicts give rise to opportunistic militarists

that weakened México’s ability to ward off the United States invasion in 1846 resulting in the

lost of nearly half its territory. Mexicans wished for stability and a leader who could restore

1
Members of a group of officials, serving from the early 1890s in Porfirio Díaz’s regime (1876–1911) in Mexico,
who were influenced by Positivism, the philosophy of the Frenchman Auguste Comte.

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Mexico to solidity and prosperity, hence the time was opportune for Porfirio Diaz to take

control of Mexico.

When Porfirio Diaz assumed office, Mexico was not attractive for foreign investors due to

their lost of respect within the international community. Porfirio worked towards restoring

friendly relations with foreign powers and to attract foreign investors. By 1888, they had

signed treaties with Sweden, Norway, France, Great Britain, Ecuador, Japan, Unites States

and Great Britain to restore friendship, commerce, and navigation between themselves.

Relations were opened with every European nation except Austria and Turkey by 1892.

These relations brought capital into the country while at the same time restoring Mexico’s

international prestige. There were many however opposed to Porfirio Diaz friendly relations

with the U.S as Mexico was perceived as being subservient to that same country that cost

them almost half of their territory. However, this relationship was necessary since it brought

them many economic benefits.

By 1900, there were 63 million dollars in annual trade between two counties by which the

U.S became an unlimited market for Mexican products. This was a huge increase from just 7

million in 1880. México’s poor economic performances before Diaz had resulted in many

government debts and deficit budgets as well as many loans which were taken out with high

interest rates. Diaz was also able to repay a four million debt from 1890 owed to the U.S. 2.

The national treasury was able to balance the budget and were experiencing surpluses by

1895. Thus, Mexico was now able to negotiate with the banks and as such it became a state

that could negotiate with foreign powers financially. Thus, their interest rates on loans were

soon fixed at a mere 5% which is indicative of a country being a safe investment.

2
Callcott, Wilfrid Hardy. Liberalism in Mexico, 1857-1929. Hamden: Archon Books, 1965

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Other forms of improvements made by Diaz was the establishment of 3 new consulates along

the border with the United States while the old alcabalas tax system was abolished between

areas that were obstructing trade. This was to improve trade by making the administrative

process easier.

Early petroleum concessions were made available to foreigners. An improvement was shown

by the oil industry, which was controlled by American and British interest; by 1911, Mexico

was the third among the world’s largest oil producers (Haynes, 223). This however created

serious problems later, since the use of coal was replaced by oil and when automobiles were

mass-produced. Additionally, there was a rapid growth after 1890 in consumer goods and the

textile industry that was owned by French and Spanish capitalists (Haynes, 223). Critics

argued that such key industries were monopolized by foreign capitalist, however the

Cientificos believed that in order to achieve rapid development of its natural resources and

create a strong economy it was justified.

Another of Porfirio Diaz achievements lay in the development of the railroads and mining.

Railroads were essential in order to further develop Mexico during that era and as such Diaz

recognized its development as being critical to strengthening the Mexican economy. It

became one of the most important goals for the Diaz administration and by 1910 tracks had

increased to about 19280 kilometers from a mere 660 kilometers in 1896 3. The increase in

tracts enabled the free movements of goods and raw materials quickly around the country

while creating markets for products that was previously unavailable especially in isolated

villages. subsequently, electricity and streetcars were provided for the cities while industrial

complexes were created, and refurbished facilities at the ports.

3
https://eh.net/encyclopedia/the-economic-history-of-mexico/

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There were many barriers to mobility in many of the rural areas where many of the poor lived

and with the construction of tracts it offered them easier access to benefits and opportunities

of urban life. Many were able to leave to seek jobs in urban areas. However, many critics

suggests that these tracts benefitted the wealthy rather than the poor.

Due to the expansion of the mining industry exports were improved by 650%; the new

railroads made it viable to transport ore to various parts of Mexico and then to the U.S for

sales.4 There were also increased titles to mine while mining laws were revised geared toward

making it more appealing to foreign investors. This resulted in silver production doubling

from 1886 to 1900.

Annually there was the construction of over one thousand kilometers of telegraph line which

improved communication along with improvements in the postal service in 1878 that

distributed over 5 million pieces of mail. A canal was constructed to drain the valley of

Mexico to alleviated problems associated with flooding in Mexico City.

To stimulate economic growth land titles and tenure were also altered by making them

available to the public domain where previously was owned by the governments. By this

policy, Diaz attempted to attract immigrants and new settlers, but it had an adverse effect;

This led to abuse by local and foreign officials. Some of the lands were also taken away from

the Indians, as a result many of the poor indigenous did not benefit but instead suffered.

Critics claimed that their lands were taken away which forced them into a form of slavery

where they worked land in order to earn it.

4
Hart, John M. Revolutionary Mexico: The Coming and Process of the Mexican Revolution. Berkeley: University
of California Press, 1987.

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Welfare programs to some extent did see some improvements while in Mexico City, he

engaged in a building campaign that modernized such institution like the hospital, orphanage,

schools by better equipping them. These building priors was neglected in the colonial era.

According to Ann S Blum “The Hospicio de Pobres in Mexico City was transformed into an

institution for sheltering homeless children and for the vocational training of young women.”

Diaz took control of Public institutions by making them accountable for their actions to the

government. Contracts were restricted to two years while regulations regarding private

involvement in the management of the institutions was implemented. By 1899, 251 hospitals

were opened in Mexico. Diaz government in 1877 spent 30,000 pesos on social welfare

compared to 320,000 pesos in 1898. By 1909 Diaz spent 1.3 million pesos in total on

buildings and welfare institutions even though it can be argued it was unequally dispersed,

yet Diaz did commit to social welfare 5.

With regards to education, an adequate number of schools for Mexicans were established and

improvements in education came within the area of urbanization and population growth. This

was as a direct result of educators such as Justo Diaz and in 1887 the adoption of a federal

law-making primary education obligatory (Haynes, 222).

Diaz understood that that for the country to progress and for him to remain in charge there

was the need to maintain stability, as such he worked toward the reconciliation with the

church, allowing their freedom. This would please the masses which would result in avoiding

clashes. However, they were limited in its ability to influence citizens or criticize the regime.

Even though there are evidences of Diaz economic success we must acknowledge that

historians have shown that he faltered in these same areas of success. The most notable

5
Callcott, Wilfrid Hardy. Liberalism in Mexico, 1857-1929. Hamden: Archon Books, 1965

6
criticism was his economic policies regarding the wealth from his industrialization

advancements were not evenly distributed. Wages remained low while workers endured long

working hours  with no labor rights.

Porfirio ruled as a dictator which was done gradually, and it can be argued that due to the

relative autonomy it created a lack of formal political opposition. Porfirio had a great amount

of flexibility in the financial planning and an economic growth of Mexico. Without this

stability economic growth would not be possible and Mexico would have continued for many

more years dealing with political upheavals.

During Díaz’s rule judicial codes and institutions such as the constitution, civil code, and

penal code were altered and complemented with new ones to protect his Presidency, yet he

was forced into exile by the Mexican revolution. This depicts that even with his many

achievements the general Mexican population was dissatisfied with him as President. This

was understandable because his presidency was ruled in an authoritative manner that stifled

freedom of speech. Failure to comply was met with reprisals such as harassment,

imprisonment, and even death.

Due to Mexico’s history there was the need for Porfirio Diaz to control the masses and in

order to do this he had to rule in an authoritative manner. For the country to progress

economically and socially this could only have been achieved in a time of peace. The result

being that Porfirio Diaz did indeed advance the economy of Mexico and laid its foundation

for future development.

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Bibliography:

"Científicos.". “Científicos.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed, Encyclopedia.com, 2018,

www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-

maps/cientificos.

Minster, Christopher. “How Did Porfirio Diaz Stay in Power for 35 Years?” Thoughtco., Dotdash,

www.thoughtco.com/how-porfirio-diaz-stayed-in-power-2136658.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Porfirio Díaz.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia

Britannica, Inc., 11 Sept. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Porfirio-Diaz.

“The Ousting of Porfirio Díaz.” History Today, www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/ousting-

porfirio-diaz.

SURG Journal, journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/surg/article/view/1776/2415.

“The Economic History of Mexico.” EHnet, eh.net/encyclopedia/the-economic-history-of-mexico/.

Planque, de, et al. “The Mexican Revolution and the United States in the Collections of the Library of

Congress Mexico During the Porfiriato.” Planning D-Day (April 2003) - Library of Congress

Information Bulletin, Victor, www.loc.gov/exhibits/mexican-revolution-and-the-united-

states/mexico-during-the-porfiriato.html.

Keen, Benjamin, and Keith Haynes. A History of Latin America. 6th ed., Wadsworth, 2013.

Dia De Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe from Mexonline.com - The Virgin of Guadalupe - Cultural

Holidays, www.mexonline.com/history-porfiriodiaz.htm.