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Benito Juarez
He was the Mexican President and national hero from 1858-1872. He issued many liberal reforms because he wanted to change the country back to glory after it had been controlled by Maximilian. He passed laws to keep the military out of everyday business. -
Napoleon III
He is the Nephew of Napoleon 1 and was the president and emperor of France from 1850-1870. He wanted a “social and industrial one, humanitarian and encouraging trade,” that would “reconcile order and freedom, the rights of the people and the principles of authority.”. He also tried to invade Mexico during the Second French intervention (1861-1867). However, he was unsuccessful. -
Austrian Archduke Maximilian
In 1863, Maximilian believed he was elected into power by the Mexican people. In actuality, the conservative Mexicans elected him into office wishing to overturn liberalism in Benito Juarez’s reign and the French Emperor, Napoleon III; he had intentions of imperializing new colonies. Maximilian viewed himself as a protector of indigenous peoples and was unconsciously puppeting the goals of the conservative party. -
Santa Anna
He was a Mexican Army officer who led the Mexican Army to crush the Texas rebels during the Texas Revolution. On April 21, 1865, he was captured and defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto. -
Porfirio Diaz
Porifio Díaz, long-time president of Mexico, was responsible for implementing political and economic reform that boosted the Mexican economy. Díaz ruled with an “iron fist” in a period of rule titled the Porfiriato. Díaz sought to remove corporate ownership and implement more liberal policies into office. Díaz led the Mexican cavalry into victory during the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1862), a celebration known by the holiday, Cinco de Mayo. -
Jose Marti
Born January 28, 1853, Havana, Cuba—died May 19, 1895, Dos Ríos
Jose Marti was a patriot of Cuban who wrote and published works supporting them throughout the late 19th century 1868-1895
He died during the invasion of Cuba in May 1895 -
Spanish-American War
Tensions grew between the US and Spain as many people felt sympathy towards the Cuban rebels. After the US battleship Maine mysteriously exploded in Havana’s harbor, congress declared war on Spain. This was an easy victory for the Americans, as they won in three months. The US received Puerto Rico and Guam and purchased the Philippines for $20 million. Spain also gave up Cuba, which the Americans made a protectorate. -
Roosevelt Corollary
The Roosevelt Corollary was an expansion to the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine declared that the Americas were off-limits to European imperialism. The Europeans saw this as no more than a threat. The Roosevelt Corollary established that the US will use its military power to keep the Europeans out of the Americas. -
Teddy Roosevelt
born October 27, 1858, New York, New York, U.S.—died January 6, 1919, Oyster Bay, New York) “26th president of the United States (1901–09) and a writer, naturalist, and soldier” Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 -
Francisco Madero
Francisco Madero, Former President of Mexico, was a revolutionary responsible in overthrowing dictator, Porfirio Díaz (November 20, 1910), by initiating the Mexican Revolution. Madero believed in democracy and wanted to unify these anti-Díaz forces. The Mexican Revolution would bring way to many new rights and freedoms, one of which, the right to organize and strike. Madero was sadly killed in a conspired setup by the likes of Díaz and Reyes. -
Victoriano Huerta
Huerta was the army chief during Madero’s presidency. Turmoil in Mexico continued, so Huerta took it upon himself to improve the country. On February 19, 1913, Huerta imprisoned Madero and made himself the next president. Even though he faced immense opposition from not only Zapata’s army and the United States, Huerta executed Madero in 1914. After struggling to stay in power, Huerta fled to Spain in July of the same year. -
Pancho Villa
Leader of the Mexican revolution that gathered support from the lower classes. He was known as a “Mexican Robin Hood” due to his revolutionary battles against wealth and privilege. However, Villa became angry at the US for recognizing rival Venustiano Carranza’s government. He then launched an attack on Columbus, New Mexico in order to destroy relations between the US and Carranza governments. President Wilson tried to capture Villa, but never caught him. -
Venustiano Carranza
(born Dec. 29, 1859, Cuatro Ciénegas, Mex.—died May 20/21, 1920, Tlaxcalantongo) the first constitutional president of Mexico, inaugurated on May 1, 1917 -
Emiliano Zapata
Led a group of indigenous peasants and called for land reforms. They revolted against Huerta in the South. He also did not recognize Carranza’s government, but he was defeated as well. -
Emilio Aguinaldo
(born March 22/23, 1869, near Cavite, Luzon, Philippines—died February 6, 1964, Quezon City) leader of the Philippines during its arduous struggle for independence first against Spain then later the US. “In 1950 Aguinaldo was appointed by Pres. Elpidio Quirino as a member of the Council of State. “