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DON
BENITO JUAREZ (1778-1842)
Mexico's national hero and its first president
of Indian descent was Benito Juarez. During
his years in the Government, he succeeded
in undermining the power of the Roman
Catholic Church and the wealthy landlords
in order to make Mexico a constitutional
democracy.
Juarez
was born at San Pablo Guelatao in the
state of Oaxaca on March 21, 1806. He
studied law at the Oaxaca Institute of
Arts and Sciences, receiving his degree
in 1831. Within a few years he had served
in both state and national legislatures.
In 1841 he became a judge and served as
governor of his state. From his government
service he gained many ideas for political
and economic reform.
When
liberals defeated conservatives in the
elections of 1855, Juarez became minister
of justice and public instruction. The
new administration abolished special courts
for the church and the military, forced
the church to sell its enormous property
holdings, and created a new, liberal constitution.
In 1857 Juarez was chosen to preside over
the Supreme Court and, in effect, to serve
as vice-president. During a conservative
revolt from 1858 to 1860, he acted as
president.
He
was forced to flee Mexico City but held
the government together until he died
at the age of 66.
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