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Porfirio Diaz: The Victimization Of Mexico

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Porfirio Diaz was the dictator of Mexico, in the years of 1884 to 1911, who sought to modernize Mexico through a series of economic and social policies he had emplaced onto the country–the country consisted of the rural population and the prosperous upper class. Due to political stability, and lack of wealth–under the reign of Porfirio–there was commotion, especially amongst the middle and lower classes. Until Diaz took over and decided it was best to improve the economic stability of the country since the mexican economy was far underdeveloped. In Diaz’ journey for modernization, foreign investments originated from the implemented policies which would ultimately build Mexico back up and into a thriving country. Some Historians have assumed …show more content…

The upper class consisted of hacendados, plantation owners, investors (foreign and domestic), industrialists, and high ranking members (Raat, 33). Whereas the most common class consisted of workers, vendors, peones, sharecroppers, beggars, and other unemployed and rural poor (Raat, 33). In this sense, Diaz focused primarily on liberal principles. Although he disregarded basic freedom rights of the people, he did not forsake the case of the Indians of Tamazunchale (steven 161). “The Haciendas of Mexico are the most conspicuous feature of the land system of the country” and consisted of Indians or mestizos (New York: American Geographical Society, 1923). The harsh conditions the Indians underwent “encouraged the emigration of rural laborers from Mexico to the southwestern part of the United States” (New York: American Geographical Society, 1923). Diaz intervention in the administration of justice sided with the indians (162). He was aware that a large majority of territory was taken from the indians and so, made negotiations with corrupt companies which profited off of these lands. Part of this plan was to give the Indians sale on easy payment terms, irrigation, and education (Eder, 35). Indians were part of the rural population, they had their land taken from them and therefore were repressed. This would later lead to an alliance of upset

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