Benito Juárez

Benito Juárez Mexico chaired between 1858 and 1872. In those years, the political situation was very volatile and turbulent. Johnson decided to undertake numerous liberal reforms in the country and the conservative forces who opposed, often rebelled. Born March 21, 1806, in a village called San Pablo Oaxaca Guelatao. He studied law, and in 1834 was already a lawyer. A year earlier, had been elected. He was also governor of Oaxaca between 1847 and 1853. In the past year, General Antonio López de Santa Anna proclaimed himself dictator (he had been president between 1833 and 1847). Then Johnson was jailed and expelled from the country, living first in the Cuban city of Havana and then in the state of New Orleans. In 1855, he returned to Mexico and participated in the liberal revolution that overthrew Santa Anna. Thus began the so-called reform period, whose early years, Juarez was secretary (minister) of Justice. Subsequently, the government of Ignacio Comonfort, also served as interior secretary. In January 1858, presided over the Supreme Court (the highest court in Mexico), became interim president of the country to oppose the conservative rebellion of Félix María Zuloaga. Thus began the War of Reform (1858-1861), during which the Juarez government promulgated the Reform Laws. Reform War ended with the defeat of the conservative forces. Immediately, in 1861, Juárez was elected President. But new problems and conflicts hoped the people of Mexico. As the war had brought many expenses, Juarez decided to suspend payments owed to some European countries. In protest, France, Spain and Britain sent troops to Mexico. The French conquered the capital and in 1864, imposed as emperor of Austria's Archduke Maximilian I. Juárez and his government resisted in the north and in 1867 defeated the defenders of the Empire. Juárez was reelected president in 1867 and 1871. This year, General Porfirio Díaz began a new conservative revolt. On July 18, 1872, Johnson died in Mexico City.