A Zapotec Indian’s journey echoes here in stone. This is the monument to Benito Juárez. He became a national hero. Juárez was president of Mexico from 1861 to 1872. Born in San Pablo Guelatao Oaxaca he rose from humble beginnings. He became a lawyer, judge, and cabinet minister.
Juárez led La Reforma. This was a liberal political and social revolution. In 1855, liberal forces took control. Juárez implemented his ideas. He was elected head of the Supreme Court in 1857. A new constitution placed him first in line for the presidency.
Conservative forces launched a coup in 1858. Mexico’s president was sent into exile. Juárez succeeded him. He headed a liberal government. They opposed the conservative regime. After three years of civil war the liberals won. Juárez was elected president in 1861. He was reelected twice.
France invaded Mexico early in his first term. Napoleon III put Maximilian of Austria in power in 1864. Napoleon later withdrew his troops. Juárez defeated Maximilian’s armies. He had him executed in 1867. Juárez’s final years saw a loss of support. He also suffered personal tragedy. Juárez died in office.
Juárez was born on March 21 1806. His parents were Brígida García and Marcelino Juárez. They were Zapotec peasants. He had two older sisters. Juárez became an orphan at age three. His grandparents died soon after. His uncle Bernardino Juárez raised him.
He worked in cornfields and as a shepherd. Juárez was illiterate until age 12. He only spoke Zapotec. His sister moved to Oaxaca City for work. That year, Juárez moved to the city. He took a job as a domestic servant.
In 1818, Juárez entered domestic service. He worked under Antonio Salanueva. Salanueva was a lay Franciscan and bookbinder. The boy showed potential at school. Salanueva sponsored Juárez to enter a seminary. He would study for the priesthood.
Juárez entered the seminary in 1821. Mexico won its independence that September. He studied theology for six years. Eventually, he decided against the priesthood. An Institute of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1826. Juárez transferred there in 1827. In 1829, Juárez became a physics teacher. In 1831, he became a judicial secretary. In 1832, he earned a law degree. He was admitted to the bar in 1834.
From his legal career’s start, Juárez was a Liberal Party partisan. He took cases for Indigenous villagers. He fought for equality before the law. Lingering legal privileges remained from the colonial system. These favored the Church, army, and Indigenous communities. He became a prosecutor for Oaxaca. He was elected to the state legislature in 1832.
A Conservative coup overthrew the presidency in 1834. Oaxaca became a department controlled by Mexico City. The state legislature was dissolved. Juárez protested. He was briefly imprisoned. Juárez then returned to private practice.
In 1842, the governor appointed Juárez as a Civil and Revenue Judge. He held this position until 1846.
The Centralist Republic was overthrown in 1846. This occurred at the start of the Mexican American War. Oaxaca regained autonomy. Its executive was led by a triumvirate. This included Juárez. He was elected to the national congress.
Juárez supported President Valentín Gómez Farías. There was a revolt in Oaxaca. Juárez abandoned his congressional post. He returned to Oaxaca to maintain order. In November 1847, he became governor.
Juárez did not allow ex-president Santa Anna to settle in Oaxaca. This earned him Santa Anna’s enmity. Juárez faced chaos in state finances and justice. He carried out economic improvements. This included eliminating the deficit. He built roads and developed education. Juárez prepared a Civil and Penal Code. Oaxaca became a model state. Juárez gained fame as an able administrator.
Juárez’s quote remains well-remembered. “Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.” It summarizes Mexico’s stance on foreign affairs. This statue of Benito Juárez stands as a tribute to his enduring legacy. His principles continue to shape Mexico’s identity.