DIAZ, Porfirio, de'is, Mexican statesman: b. Oaxaca, 15 Sept. 1830; d. 2 July 1915. He received a classical education at the Oaxaca Institute, and had begun studying law when the war with the United States broke out. He served through that struggle in the National Guard, and on the conclusion of peace made a study of military science. On Santa Anna's ac cession to the dictatorship, he left the army and practised law; but returned and bore a con spicuous part in the revolution of 1854. Subse quently Diaz joined the Liberals then under the leadership and control of Benito Juarez, and as a member of this party he won a seat in Congress in 1861. He took the field to oppose the French troops and was taken prisoner, but made his escape; harassed Maximilian's troops till forced to surrender a second time at Oaxaca in 1865; besieged and captured Pueblo in 1867, and immediately marched on Mexico City, which surrendered to him 21 June. On the re-establishment of the republic he was an unsuccessful candidate for president. In 1872 and 1876 he led revolutions against the government and after three severe battles occupied the capital in the latter year. In 1877 he was elected president to fill the un expired term of the fugitive president, Lerdo. His energetic and businesslike administration at once gained favor with and inspired con fidence in foreign investors, and foreign capital soon began to flow into the country which en tered upon a new era of development and pros perity. According to the ((plan of Tuxtepec,°
which he had proclaimed, he was ineligible to succeed himself. His secretary, General Gon zales, was elected president and General Diaz was appointed chief-justice of the Supreme Court, and elected governor of Oaxaca. The new administration soon betrayed signs of weak ness and it became ever more and more evident that if peace and prosperity were to endure Diaz must be again placed at the head of the govern ment and so in 1884 he was re-elected president ; in 1886 his partisans secured the abolition of the law prohibiting a second consecutive presidential term. As each presidential term expired the constitutional provisions for the election of chief magistrate of the nation were gone through, but it was evident to all that partisans of Diaz manipulated the returns. However, no real opponent appeared, at least no strong leader, until 1911. when Francesco Madero opposed what he called the dictatorship of Diaz. He was successful and in May 1911, Diaz resigned and departed to Spain. To Diaz Mexico is in debted for her rise, progress and standing as a nation.