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Moctezuma II - Aztec Emperor (1466-1520)
He was the leader of the Aztec Empire when the Spaniards arrived in the New World in the early 1500s and began their systematic subjugation of Native American peoples throughout South and Central America and southern portions of North America. The conquistador Hernan Cortés arrived in Mexico in 1518. Despite Moctezuma's attempts to dissuade him, Cortés entered the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City) in 1519, and held Moctezuma hostage while he attacked other cities. The Aztecs revolted, but Moctezuma was wounded and soon died. The Aztecs were defeated in 1520 and Tenochtitlán fell in 1521, beginning three centuries of European rule.
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"Heroes of the Motherland" - Hidalgo, Juarez, Diaz
This cigar band depicts three major figures in Mexican history (from left to right): Benito Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo, and Porfirio Diaz. Information on Juarez and Diaz is included with other bands on this page. Miguel Hidalgo (1753-1811) was a Roman Catholic priest who is considered the "father' of modern Mexico. His humanitarian concern for the plight of oppressed peasants led him to proclaim revolt against the Spanish government. He led an army of 80,000 that seized Guadalajara and Guanajuato, and marched on Mexico City in 1810. They won an initial battle but were soon routed. Hidalgo was captured and shot, but his movement was the beginning of the war for Mexican independence from Spain.
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Benito Juarez - Revolutionary & Statesman (1806-1872)
His parents were Zapotec Indian peasants who died before he was four. He worked in the fields until age twelve when he ventured to the city of Oaxaca for a formal education. He earned a law degree, served in the state legislature, as a civil judge, and was elected to the national congress in 1846. He aided in the overthrow of the dictator Antonio Santa Anna in 1855 and led liberal forces to victory in the War of the Reform between 1858 and 1861, reducing the power of the military and the church. He was elected as President in 1861 serving until his death in office. He is considered a national hero, remembered as a champion of democracy, the first President of Indian descent, and for his resistance to French attempts to control Mexico.
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Porfirio Diaz - Soldier & Politician (1830-1915)
He won initial fame for his military leadership in the Mexican-American War (1846-48) and in the War of the Reform (1857-60) in support of Benito Juarez. He also participated in the struggle against French rule between 1861 and 1867. He ran unsuccessfully against Juarez for President in 1871, but was elected in 1877, serving until 1880. Four years later he returned to the Presidency which he held continuously until the Mexican Revolution in 1911. His administration presided over a generally peaceful and properous period in Mexico, but his rule was essentially dictatorial, and the common people saw little improvement in their lives, leading to growing unrest and the Revolution. Diaz died in exile in Paris.
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Jose Ives Limantour - Politician (1854-1935)
He was the son of a French scholar and jurist. He served as Secretary of the Treasury under Diaz and was largely responsible for bringing order to Mexico's finances. Under his
financial stewardship Mexico changed from the silver standard to the gold
standard. He orchestrated the purchase and control of major railways in Mexico that had been owned by British and French interests, aided the development of manufacturing and industry, and organized tariffs and duties to help develop the country's prosperity. He also was intrumental in greatly diminishing the bloated government bureauracracy and reducing graft. By 1890 Limantour had succeeded in balancing the Mexican budget for the first time since Moctezuma II.
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Bernardo Reyes - Soldier & Politician (1850-1912)
He served as a state governor and as Secretary of War under President Porfirio Diaz, and was viewed by some as his eventual successor. In 1899 Diaz gave Reyes an assignment in Europe, removing him from the political scene. After Diaz resigned from office in 1911 as the Mexican Revolution began, Reyes returned to run against then President Madero. Attacked by Madero's supporters at a Mexico City rally, he fled to exile in Texas. When organized uprisings began against Madero, Reyes returned with a small army, was captured and sent to prison. After his release by sympathizers his forces again marched against Madero, overthrowing the government. Madero was assassinated soon after. Reyes was killed during the first military actions in the coup.
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