El hombre de hechos, Porfirio Diaz and the rise of the liberal state: War, development, and globalization in the first Mexican century

This work presents the life and times of President General Porfirio Diaz (1830--1915) of Mexico as a medium through which to examine the effects of warfare, economic and political development, and global internationalism on the establishment of the Liberal State in Mexico during its first century of nationhood, 1810--1910. Born into a newly independent and highly unstable nation, Diaz's early entry into the ranks of Mexico's Liberal faction led to his participation in the fratricidal Three Years War (1858--1861) and the ensuing War of the Intervention (1862--1867). These momentous conflicts heightened awareness of the dangers confronting an economically underdeveloped and politically unstable Mexico in a dangerous world of expansionist industrial powers.; Having established itself as the sole political faction with a legitimate claim to national authority, the Mexican Liberal State emerged from the years of warfare facing continued financial distress and different visions concerning Mexico's future. The protracted turbulence of the war years promoted the centralization of authority under a powerful executive and Diaz headed rebellions, those of La Noria (1871--1872) and Tuxtepec (1876), intended to secure control of the Presidential office for himself and his own faction of Liberals. After seizing power in 1876, Diaz utilized his reputation and his considerable political and diplomatic skills to create a personal presidency lasting until 1911. Establishing stability through the sacrifice of effective democracy and social equality, the Diaz faction initiated a program of development through foreign capital that changed the face of Mexico according to their vision of the Liberal State.