La memoría de Mexico- Mexican memoires
About thirty years later the Mexican American War would break out (1845). After the battle of Chapultepec the young Mexican republic had to renounce half of its territory (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and parts of Utah and Colorado). As if that was not bad enough, ten years later, in 1855, a liberal junta led by Benito Juárez, an indian of the southern state Oaxaca, unhorsed dictator Santa Anna and promulgated a new constitution (1857). With this constitution the liberals wanted to break the power of the Catholic Church. The Conservatives, however, were very much against it and declared war to Benito Juárez and his followers, which they lost.
Unfortunately, Benito Juárez saw himself compelled to suspend the payment of the country's debts for two years. The French did not agree and invaded the country. It was the perfect opportunity for King Napoleon III to obtain a new American colony (they had lost Québec a century before and Napoleon Bonaparte had sold Louisiana to the United States). Juárez fled while the Conservatives gave the French a warm welcome. To be able to govern this far-away colony, Napoleon III turned to Maximilian of Austria who was married to princess Charlotte of Belgium. The couple went to live in the famous castle of Chapultepec. Soon, though, their happiness would end up in tragedy. Juárez and the liberals had started a guerrilla war against Maximilian. The United States, who did no longer tolerate European presence to the south of their border, made France abandon its colonial dreams. Also Maximilian was abandoned and later on executed by Juárez. Charlotte returned to Europe, where she would grow as mad as a cow.
Between 1876 and 1911 Mexico was governed by dictator Porfirio Díaz, a period that became known as el porfiriato. Political stability made the country prosper. Its borders were opened and Mexico started receiving a stream of foreign investments. However, prosperity only reached the rich, whereas the poor became poorer. When Don Porfirio stood for re-election for the eighth time, a young liberal entrepreneur named Francisco Madero revolted and became the leader of thousands of other unsatisfied Mexicans. Their call for justice was the start of the Mexican Revolution, featuring many of Mexico's heroes such as Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa, Venustiano Carranza, Victoriano Huerta, Alvaro Obregón. My guess is that two thirds of all Mexican streets carry their names (could be a bit less though). The
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