World History Moment: Mexican Revolution
By Julian Hayda, Jerome McDonnellWorld History Moment: Mexican Revolution
By Julian Hayda, Jerome McDonnell
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General Porfirio Diaz became President of Mexico in 1876. He served one four-year term, then retired. But in 1884, Diaz ran for president again and was re-elected. Afterwards, Diaz ran for president every four years. The elections were rigged in his favor.
By 1909, Diaz was nearly eighty and promised to retire when his current term ended the following year.
A number of politicians entered the 1910 election. The most prominent was an idealistic liberal from a wealthy family, Francisco Madero. Then, Diaz changed his mind and decided to run again.
Meanwhile, Madero campaigned across Mexico. He drew huge crowds. Shortly before the vote, Diaz had Madero imprisoned. The charge was inciting riots.
Historian John Schmidt tells us what happened next.