https://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/islandora/object/tulane%3A10926
The picture I chose for our second module is none other than Benito Juarez, one of the presidents of Mexico.
Juarez was born in 1806 in Oaxaca, Mexico. After his parent’s death when he was only 3 years old, Juarez was raised by close relatives of his family. He grew up working in fields and could barely speak any Spanish. But, since an early age, Juarez was dedicated to help Oaxaca’s farmers and poor people.
Even though Benito was never fond of politics, he soon started to believe that the economy and the government were actually the ones that caused Mexico’s living conditions. This is why, Juarez got married to Margarita Meza, whose family was one of the richest in Mexico, and made a name for himself. Dedicated to politics now, he was soon elected to Oaxaca’s legislature. People believed in him and loved him as an honest, never corrupted politician.
Later, Benito Juarez became the elected governor of Oaxaca’s, supporting all liberal causes. Not only did this make him more powerful, but he was also able to resist the U.S and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. When general Antonio Lopez came to power, Juarez was exiled in New Orleans but then he soon was able to come back after the previous government went down and later on he became president.
With Benito Juarez as president, Mexico wasn’t getting much from Juarez. He was struggling to help Mexico to have the economic boom he was trying to achieve throughout his career. Not only because of corruption but also for lack of democracy. Regardless, he was a president who I believe did as much as he could trying to take from Church and give to the people, supporting free speech and helping Oaxaca’s economy. He died in his office from a heart attack.
Work Cited.