Strengths and Weaknesses of the Porfiriato
Strengths
Although Porfirio Díaz was considered a dictator, he kept a strong hand when maintaing order in Mexico.
When Díaz took control in 1876, many areas along the countryside were filled with bandits. However, he was able to establish a rural police force (rurales), who happened to be bandits hired by acquittals and good pay. This put an end to that part of society, and the approach was successful.
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After reestablishing order, Díaz was set to stabilize Mexico's economy. With the help of his advisors, Díaz requested foreign investments and established a solid currency. As a result, he was mainly successful. Foreign capital built the country's railway system, created modern port facilities, brought electricity and streetcars to cities, and developed mining and agricultural resources.
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Weaknesses
Though the Porfiriato was very firm, the system's weaknesses proved to be fatal in the long run.
The foundation of the system was its ability to reward those who participated or complied in his rule. This could be done with regular wages and general economic stability. In the early 1890's, prices of food and other essentials in Mexico began to increase. When there was not a matching increase in wages, the result was a decline in the typical living for the lower middle classes.
Along with rising food prices, Díaz ignored land reform. The policies of Díaz's administration encouraged, rather than restricted, centralized ownership of the land. Crops were changed from beans and corns to the more profitable crops of tobacco, cotton, maguey and henequen for export. By 1910, it was estimated that one percent of Mexican families owned or controlled about eighty-five percent of the fertile land.
Along with rising food prices, Díaz ignored land reform. The policies of Díaz's administration encouraged, rather than restricted, centralized ownership of the land. Crops were changed from beans and corns to the more profitable crops of tobacco, cotton, maguey and henequen for export. By 1910, it was estimated that one percent of Mexican families owned or controlled about eighty-five percent of the fertile land.
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