1. Shengyi Fu, Laura Nance, Priya Pohani, Chance Rowan Period 6
Francisco Ignacio Madero
“The people don’t want bread, they want freedom.”
Shengyi Fu, Laura Nance, Priya Pohani, Chance Rowan
Period 6

2. Biography/Background
Madero served as the president of Mexico from 1911 to 1913
He was from a wealthy landowning family (fifth richest family in Mexico) in the northern state of Coahuila
He was educated in the United States, Austria, and France
He never held office until he ran for president in 1910
He helped organize the Benito Juárez Democratic Club and a political party in Coahuila
He wanted honest elections, mass participation, and no reelection of presidents
Arrested by Huerta on February 18, 1913, and executed February 22, 1913

3. Role in the revolution
Madero started the newspaper “El Anti-Reelectionista” (the no re-electionist) that fostered an anti-Diaz movement
Madero was nominated to run against Diaz, was jailed, and fled to the US
Declared the Plan of San Luis Potosí which stated the 1910 elections void. Madero claimed to be the true president of Mexico. He also called for an armed insurrection.
Madero led an unsuccessful attack on a military garrison but gained respect of revolution’s leaders
Madero was elected president on November 6, 1911 via a very fair, democratic election

4. Rule Elected president in November 1911
Administration lasted 15 months
He didn’t follow through with reforms → Not a true revolutionary
Lost support of previous followers who were more radical
Heavy reliance of federal military made him vulnerable
Ignored villagers who brought him to power, was much more comfortable surrounded by former Porfirian elites than the common people.
Francisco Madero probably signing
something at Ciudad Juarez
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5. Support
Díaz’s rule proved to be unfavorable for the peasants and middle classmen (harsh, old, weak)
Díaz’s harsh regime created hatred from many ordinary citizens
Madero gained support from those opposed to the Porfiriato rule
Madero had loyalty from local revolutionaries, Zapatistas (because Madero promised land redistribution) and Pancho Villa (brought rural support from the north)
Madero’s courage to fight against Díaz, who ruled for 30 years, increased his popularity amongst Mexican citizens → he represented change

6. Opposition
Porfirio Díaz: Sent Madero to prison in San Luis Potosí → Madero released on bail → escaped to Texas in disguise
Initial opposition: His voice and small appearance made him very hard for the “macho” army to accept
Zapata: After coming into power, the Zapatistas did not receive any benefits of land redistribution → against Madero
Widespread opposition due to his failure to recognize social and economic issues, conservative press
No U.S. support
Many of his cabinet members secretly plotted against him, including Huerta

7. Rebellion and Coup
The United States supported many rebellions against Madero under U.S. ambassador Henry Lane Wilson
1. Bernardo Reyes: state governor under Díaz → supporter of Madero 2. Pascual Orozco: anti-Díaz → Madero supporter → hero in Chihuahua →appointed colonel 3. Feliz Díaz: nephew of Porfirio Díaz 4. Military Revolt 5. Huerta: 10 tragic days Feb. 9 - Feb. 19, 1913

8. Success
Temporarily united the revolutionaries in an anti-diaz opposition
Attempted to decentralize power
Made some reforms (albeit limited)
Department of Labor, rural credit system, and improved infrastructure
Taxation of foreign oil companies to attempt to limit foreign influence
Helped to initially spark the Mexican revolution
Viewed rather favorably, became martyr after his murder

9. Failures No Real change
He failed to address the actual problems of the Mexican people once he became president
Little land reform - Lost support of Zapatistas → Zapata issued Plan of Ayala 3 weeks after Madero became president
Failed to unite Mexico and secure his position - Betrayal of Huerta → Huerta easily overthrew Madero with support from the U.S. (ambassador Henry Lane Wilson)

10. Legacy
Madero maintained Porfirian infrastructure, relied on family members, and kept the federal army in tact
By calling on Huerta to crush Orozco and push back Zapata, he set himself up to be overthrown easily
Sparked the Mexican Revolution/ “Father of the Revolution”
Helped initiate the Revolution, ending Latin America’s longest dictatorship
Honored as a Mexican hero
Symbol of the revolution
Known as “Apostle of Democracy”

11. Bibliography Pictures
Resources
Gonzales, Michael J. The Mexican Revolution. Albuquerque: U of New Mexico, Print.