HIST174 – History of Mexico
The Porfiriato
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The Porfiriato, 1876-1911

- Porfirio Díaz (1876-80, 1884-1910)
- positivism
- Order and Progress

I. The Porfirian project: image + investment

A. Attacking govt. inefficiency and fraud
B. Infrastructure + exports

- mining and transportation
- industrialization in the north (Monterrey)
- public works in Mexico City
- export sector: silver, oil, sugar, henequen in Yucatan; grows 900% 1877-1911!

C. Authoritarian rule + political 'convivencia'

- military/police enforcement; rurales
- Liberal/Conservative split diminished
- patronage politics
- censorship/no opposition
- managed elections

II. Social effects of the Porfiriato

A. Extreme concentration of wealth
B. Modest growth of urban middle class
C. Rural/urban split