Benito Juárez
1806 - 1872

Benito Juárez was said to have been modest, honest, and extremely competent.

Benito "Pablo" Juárez was born on March 21, 1806, in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca. Today, his birthday is a public holiday in Mexico. Natalicio de Benito Juárez is annually observed on the third Monday of March.

THE FAMILY OF Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez was the son of Native American parents, which made him a Zapotec Indian.

In 1843, Benito Juárez married Margarita Maza. Margarita was a girl from Oaxaca and died in 1871.
 

BENITO JUAREZ - MEXICO'S FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL PRESIDENT

THE CAREER OF Benito Juárez
Benito studied law and science. He became judge and governor of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.

While teaching law at the Institute of Sciences and Arts of Oaxaca, Benito Juárez tutored amongst others future dictator Porfirio Diaz.

Benito Juarez was one of the main leaders of The Reform, or La Reforma, which, if implemented, would change the general social structure. It would for example strip military and church of some of their special privileges.

Benito Juarez became Minister of Justice, in which capacity he furthered the goal of the reformers. All these reforms called for a new constitution, which became known as the Constitution of 1857.

Neither church nor military was a fan and civil war ensured, also called the War of the Reform, and lasted 1857 - 1860.

Other names for this war are The Mexican Civil War, The War of Reform, or Guerra de Reforma.

The Constitution of 1857, by the way, remained in force until it was replaced by the Constitution of 1917.

Back to Benito.

In 1861, Benito Juarez was elected president of Mexico. The French had different plans, however. They thought their man Maximilian should be emperor of Mexico. Before long, Maximilian was shot and Benito was elected for president once again in 1871.

President Benito Juárez aimed to establish a solid foundation for civil power in Mexico. In spite of the fact that the country had just come through a long phase of wars, Benito cut back some generals with political aspirations and reduced the number of troops considerably.

See also the French-Mexican War.