Benito Juarez
Juárez was born in the village of San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca on March 21, 1807, located in the mountain range now known as the "Sierra Juárez". His parents, Marcelino Juárez and Brígida García, were peasants who both died when he was three years old. Shortly after, his grandparents died as well, in which his uncle then raised him.[2][3] He described his parents as "indios de la raza primitiva del país," that is, "Indians of the original race of the country."[3] He worked in the corn fields and as a shepherd until the age of 12, when he walked to the city of Oaxaca to attend school.[1] At the time, he was illiterate and could not speak Spanish, only Zapotec.
In the city, where his sister worked as a cook, he took a job as a domestic servant for Antonio Maza.[1] A lay Franciscan, Antonio Salanueva, was impressed with young Benito's intelligence and thirst for learning, and arranged for his placement at the city's seminary. He studied there but decided to pursue law rather than the priesthood. He graduated from the seminary in 1827 and went on to gain a degree in law. In 1843 Benito married Margarita Maza.
Benito Juárez with his sister Nela (left) and his wife Margarita (right), 1843
[edit]Political career
Juárez became a lawyer in 1834 and a judge in 1841.[4] He was governor of the state of Oaxaca from 1847 to 1852; in 1853, he went into exile because of his objections to the corrupt military dictatorship of Antonio López de Santa Anna.[5] He spent his exile in New Orleans, Louisiana, working in a cigar factory.[6] In 1854 he helped draft the Plan of Ayutla as the basis for a liberal revolution in Mexico.[5]
Faced with growing opposition, Santa Anna resigned in 1855 and Juárez returned to Mexico. The winning party, the liberales (liberals) formed a provisional government under General Juan Álvarez, inaugurating the period known as La Reforma. The Reform laws sponsored by the puro (pure) wing of the Liberal Party curtailed the power of the Catholic Church and
In the city, where his sister worked as a cook, he took a job as a domestic servant for Antonio Maza.[1] A lay Franciscan, Antonio Salanueva, was impressed with young Benito's intelligence and thirst for learning, and arranged for his placement at the city's seminary. He studied there but decided to pursue law rather than the priesthood. He graduated from the seminary in 1827 and went on to gain a degree in law. In 1843 Benito married Margarita Maza.
Benito Juárez with his sister Nela (left) and his wife Margarita (right), 1843
[edit]Political career
Juárez became a lawyer in 1834 and a judge in 1841.[4] He was governor of the state of Oaxaca from 1847 to 1852; in 1853, he went into exile because of his objections to the corrupt military dictatorship of Antonio López de Santa Anna.[5] He spent his exile in New Orleans, Louisiana, working in a cigar factory.[6] In 1854 he helped draft the Plan of Ayutla as the basis for a liberal revolution in Mexico.[5]
Faced with growing opposition, Santa Anna resigned in 1855 and Juárez returned to Mexico. The winning party, the liberales (liberals) formed a provisional government under General Juan Álvarez, inaugurating the period known as La Reforma. The Reform laws sponsored by the puro (pure) wing of the Liberal Party curtailed the power of the Catholic Church and