Heroes and villains abound frequently in just about any country's history and the history of Mexico is no different. Sometimes those villains (including political villains) actually start out with good intentions that get progressively subverted over time. Mexican political turbulence was largely the result of the struggle between two ideologies - that of the conservatives and the liberals - with failed monarchies and revolts also a part of the political landscape. An unfortunate choice of leader came in the form of Porfirio Diaz, a national military leader, who came into power as President, and who it can be argued, brought about the Mexican Revolution.
The life of this controversial man began in 1830 in the state of Oaxaca, when Porfirio was born to an innkeeper and his wife. He entered law school after being inspired by liberal Benito Juarez, giving up on his initial idea to become a priest, even after beginning training in the priesthood at a young age. Diaz bounced around a few different jobs before finding his calling as a military man, joining the forces when war was declared against the United States in 1846.
Diaz became famous as a military leader during the Reform Wars, especially during the French invasion of 1862. He and his brigade were centrally important during the Battle of Puebla, an initial Mexican victory against the invading Frenchmen which is now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo each year. After escaping from capture in 1863, Porfirio was offered the position of secretary of defense by President Benito Juarez. He wanted to be the head of the Central Army and declined the position.
Many different offers came Porfirio's way over the next few turbulent years. In 1864, the conservative Federalists who had helped France invade and who put Maximilian I in place as emperor, asked Diaz to join them. However, he refused and formally declared his loyalty to Juarez, who was running a government-in-exile in the state of Chihuahua. Desiring to oust the Empire for good, he fought to re-instate the liberal Republicans, and declined an offer to run the Imperial army..
Juarez became President again when the Second Empire collapsed in 1867. While Diaz was initially pleased, his opinion of the administration soon soured. He led a revolt against Benito's re-election in 1871, but was defeated; it didn't matter, as the liberal leader died soon after and was succeeded by Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada.
Porfirio came out of retirement after 3 years, once he had settled in Veracruz, and took a congressional spot as the state's representative. He continued to be outspoken against the government, and traveled to New Orleans and Texas in 1875 to plan a rebellion. While his second attempt failed, he got a third chance in 1876 when he participated in the Battle of Tecoac and was elected to lead the country in 1877. While Mexicans were initially pleased with Diaz, it was a decision they would soon come to regret, as he ran the nation for 30 years under iron-fisted control.
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