BENITO
JUAREZ
(OUR BENNY BOY)
How did internal reforms and external
forces shape Mexico between 1855 and
1867?
1846 = return to 1824’s Constitution (liberal)
1846-48 = War vs. USA
1853 = conservatives seize power
1854-55 = last presidency of Santa Anna
“Your Serene Highness, Perpetual
Dictador and Heroe of the Nation”
1854 = Ayutla’s Plan (liberals refuse to
recognize Santa Anna)
1855 Santa Anna’s exile
President Juan Álvarez (radical liberal)
Replaced by Ignacio Comonfort
(moderate liberal)
1855 = Benito Juárez becomes Ministry
of Justice
PLAN DE
AYUTAL
Initiated by liberals Juan Álvarez and Ignacio Comonfort,
the Plan de Ayutla was a pronouncement against Santa
Anna's dictatorship. It called for the establishment of a
provisional government and the drafting of a new
constitution.
The plan was successful in rallying opposition against
Santa Anna, leading to his ouster and exile in 1855.
The Era of Reforms Begins
(starting in 1855):
The success of the Plan de Ayutla
ushered in the era known as "La
Reforma." Led by liberals, this
period aimed to transform Mexico
into a modern nation-state by
implementing significant reforms.
The Ley Juárez (Juárez Law) of 1855,
named after the liberal Benito
Juárez, was one of the first reforms.
It abolished special courts and
privileges (fueros) for the church
and the military.
“A series of liberal reforms
aimed at building a modern
nation-state.”
key figures: Benito Juárez,
Miguel Lerdo de Tejada,
Melchor Ocampo.
Ley Iglesias
Ley Juárez (1855): Ley Lerdo (1856):
(1857):
Abolished special Mandated the sale of
properties of the
Limited fees the
privileges for the Church and Church could
church and the indigenous charge its
military. communities. members.
Constitution of 1857: Established individual rights such as freedom of
speech and abolished slavery. Also limited the power of the Catholic
Church.
CONSTITUTION
OF FEBRUARY 5TH, 1857
Individual rights
Freedom in education, press,
industry, commerce, work and
association.
Federal Republic.
Individual guarantees and
amparo.
Autonomy of the states
Abolishes slavery
Conservatives rebel against the
Constitution.
Comonfort leaves presidency
and flees the country.
Two presidents
Benito Juárez, President of the Supreme
Court, assumes power.
Conservatives name Zuloaga as president
and take the capital
Three Years War or Reform War, liberals vs.
conservatives.
First victories to conservatives.
Juárez moves governement to Guanajuato
and Guadalajara.
Flees to Panama, La Habana y New Orleans
Comes back via Veracruz, establishes his
government and passes the Reform Laws.
Purpose: divide Church from State.
Church shouldn’t intervene in
political matters
RE-CAP
Conservatives establish rival
government.
Liberal government moves to
Veracruz.
Battles between liberal and
conservative forces.
Outcome: Liberals' victory and
Benito Juárez becomes president.
REFORM LAWS
Nacionalization of
Church’s properties (1859)
Civil matrimony (1859)
Civil registry (1859)
Secularization of
cementeries (1859)
Freedom of religion (1860)
Hospitals and welfare
(1861)
Abolition of religious
communities (1863)
ACTIVITY 1.1: Compare and Contrast.
from the Reform Laws of 1859, pick 1 read what the reform back then said
and what does our law says today! Answer the diagram with 5 main bullets
and 1 paragraph of your OWN opinion. Upload it to canvas.
1859 2023
PARAGRAPH.
French Intervention (1861-1867):
So let´s see... Due to the War of the Reform, Mexico's economy
suffered.
Juárez suspended payments on foreign debts.
What happen?!? France, Britain, and Spain send naval forces to
Veracruz in response to Mexico's default on debt payments. Britain
and Spain negotiate and leave... but France has grander plans...
guess what?!?
Maximilian of Habsburg
France's Napoleon III installs Maximilian as
emperor of Mexico in 1864. The Mexican
Empire is established.
“THE” Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 (Cinco de
Mayo). A significant morale boost for Mexican
republicans, though the French would later
conquer Mexico City in 1863.
VIDEO IN
SPANISH*
Mexican resistance, U.S. support for Juárez, and
changing priorities for France lead to the French
withdrawal in 1867. Maximilian is captured and
executed.
2ND MEXICAN EMPIRE
MAXIMILIAN OF HABSBURG
(1864-1867)
Two simultaneous forms of
government:
Republic, without real power, with
Juárez.
Empire that controls the country.
Maximilian, although supported by
the conservatives, ratifies LIBERAL
laws about freedom of religion,
exemption of privileges, and civil
control of marriages, birth
certificates and cementeries.
Applies liberal Constitution of 1857.
Maximilian rules with luxuries and
soon becomes bankrupt.
Juárez keeps fighting him with
guerrilla war.
1865, when USA ends its Civil War, they
send resources to Juárez.
Against dangerous French presence
Empress Carlota returns to Europe to
ask for help and fails.
1866, Napoleon III withdraws French
army.
Imminent war against Prussia
Republicans win battles
Maximilian tries to resign, but
conseravtives don’t allow it.
Moves government to Querétaro.
1867 Conservative army is defeated and
Maximilian is executed along with
conservatives Miramón and Mejía.
ACTIVITY 2: WHO DID BEST?
JUÁREZ VS MAXIMILIAN
In pairs
Both of these rulers wanted to promote human rights
and reduce inequalities in Mexico. They fought each
other, even though they wanted to achieve the same
G
GAAMMEE objective (although through different political systems)
Create 10 memes to illustrate:
O
ONN
The HR each promoted (x6)
The mistakes they commited or the irony of their
situations (x2)
How their reforms impact you today (x2)
Upload a PowerPoint with your 10 memes (one per slide)
to CANVAS by Saturday before midnight.
*CANVAS:ASSIGNMENTS: ACTIVITY 2: WHO DID BEST? JUÁREZ VS MAXIMILIAN
JUST FOR AN
EXTRA SENSE OF
WHAT MEXICO
WAS LIKE, BACK
THEN!
