1. Mexican Modernization
Mexico During the Porfiriato

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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’

6. 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