Mexican Modernization Mexico During the Porfiriato 1876-1910

The “Porfirian Persuasion” The Politics of Porfirio Díaz harsh, but initially very effective “pan o palo” - bread or a beating, meaning take what is offered to you by the Diaz regime or suffer The Instruments of Order Rurales (police) – kept banditry under control on routes to major cities Tremendous Economic Growth and Social Stabilization ultimately at expense of middle and underclasses (major cause of Revolution) Pragmatist, not Ideologue Was liberal, but did what he needed to maintain order Manipulative, played both sides

Social Structure of Porfirian Mexico The Porfiriato sought to create an intellectual and scientific elite. Social Structure of Porfirian Mexico The Landholding Elite controlled 95% of land by end of Diaz regime (expansion of hacienda system) Viewed masses as backward, primitive – saw economic development as Mexico’s entrance into a global market Foreign Entrepreneurs Primarily US, British (almost exclusively mining/railroads) Elites saw foreign investment as a way to modernize, industrialize and unify a previously fractured Mexico (most $$ went abroad but elites profited - acceptable cost of socioeconomic development)

Social Structure of Porfirian Mexico Diaz’s violent and repressive methods were most noticeable in the villages. Social Structure of Porfirian Mexico Rancheros Threats from Commercialized Agriculture (though the rancheros were often more productive than large land holdings, they were at a great disadvantage under Diaz) The Urban Working Classes Major growth of cities, population during Porfiriato Modern improvements (electricity, modern buildings, better roads and transportation), more women and native workers Horrible working and living conditions, rampant disease Attempts at unions, but faced opposition from management, government, courts and Church

The Porfiriato and Neocolonialism Why Foreign Control? Diaz used foreign investment as a way to consolidate the Mexican state and economically modernize/industrialize the nation – Mexico given international legitimacy that it had never had before U.S. Economic Hegemony Diaz feared US economic hegemony in the Americas and was impatient to get modernize Mexico – he won over US business interests and encouraged investment in industries that would bring economic growth (mining, railroads) By reducing the size of the Mexican army to prevent a coup, expanding the size of the Rurales to reduce banditry Diaz sought to impart ‘order and progress’

Weaknesses of the Porfirio that led to the Mexican Revolution Foreign Domination of Industry (mining/railroad) The Campesinos and the Land Concentration of land in the hands of a few, campesinos were unable to make a living – Diaz essentially hogged the land for his favorites and made the masses into serfs Overproduction and Underconsumption Led to an economic recession Escalating Social Tensions Lack of social mobility All of these factors led to the downfall of Diaz and his eventual overthrow by Francisco Madero