Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada Corral (April 24th 1823 with Xalapa - April 21st 1889 with New York) was a lawyer and a liberal politician there, then President of Mexico.

After studies of Théologie to the seminar of Puebla he studies the right to the Colegio de San Idelfonso, a famous institution which he will direct later at the 29 years age.

Political career

He is a liberal political director, in favor of the President Juárez. In 1857, he is Foreign Minister during three months under the presidency of Ignacio Comonfort. He is then president of the House of Commons in 1861.

French intervention

At the time of the French intervention and the reign of Maximilien, it remains honest with the republicans and takes an active share with national resistance.

Re-establishment of the republic

In August 1867, Lerdo publishes the convocatoria (electoral decree), this one recommends five amendments to which the people react negatively. Sebastián explained each reform however in a convincing way. The problem came rather because of the procedure of the amendments and of certain made concessions to the clergy, but not because of the proposals they-even.

Lerdo becomes then Minister for the businesses foreign and Principal private secretary. It is then in constant fight with the Supreme Court which it chairs, but Juárez, which has just been elected president is given to have Lerdo at its sides. In the opposition, much complain that Lerdo has too much political power, applicant who it is " the diabolic brain of the gouvernement". It is difficult besides to say if the government policy is the fact of Juárez or Lerdo.

The opposition attacks Lerdo without slackening, it calls it, " the Jesuit, evil genius of the government, the Mexican Machiavel, the politician of the seminar, the destructor of the constitution, the favorite of the Juárez" Priest; , and well of others still. It causes desire and resentment, but it is also respected and fears because of its influence on Juárez and the government.

Candidate with the presidency

In January 1871 Lerdo resigns of its station to the cabinet. The obvious reason is that it is presented against Juárez for the presidency. Three candidates with the election his Juárez, Porfirio Díaz and Lerdo. Juaristes have the support of the federal army and the administration. One expects that the governors of the states make watch of their honesty towards Juárez. The Porfiristas are supported by those which dissatisfied and are disappointed with Juárez and Lerdo. The Lerdistas are rather intellectuals in particular lawyers and writers.

Re-elected Juárez

Juaristes gains the election and the Porfiristas revolt, applicant that there was fraud, but the Lerdistas , peaceful, accept the re-election of Juárez. As none of the three candidates obtained the absolute majority, the Congress must decide. However many deputies remain quiet and will refuse to vote. The Porfiristas , by the Plane of the Noria, seek to reverse Juárez, and start a revolt.

President 1872-1876

Although Lerdo was withdrawn from the cabinet, it continues to chair the Supreme Court. Also when Juárez dies the July 18th 1872, Lerdo is the constitutional successor and becomes President by interim of Mexico for it then the November 30th 1872, he is elected President for four years by the Congress.

As a president, Lerdo decides to amnesty the Porfiristas their political crimes but n the other hand it must démettrent their military rows, titles, pensions and other rewards. Little by little the partisans of Díaz accept this offer, Díaz itself ends up accepting it.

Lerdo enjoys national confidence then, it calmed Juaristes and obtained the rendering of the Porfiristas . It is then at the top of its career. The railroad Mexico City-Veracruz opens officially and Lerdo is acclaimed by the people throughout the inaugural way. The country is then pacified.

Sebastián Lerdo alienates many in favor while joining any political group. He believes only in the law and does not use of its influence for whoever nor any party. It does not make any change with the head of the ministries set up by Juárez. It combines the president's functions and of Prime Minister, thus giving itself the ultimate responsibility for the executive. The governors of the center of Mexico support its government, but some of its enemies regard it as a tyrant.

Its reforms

He constitutionalizes the Réforme:

1. church and state is separate;
2. the marriage becomes a civil contract;
3. the religious institutions can hold properties only with fine nuns;
4. the courts of justice do not use any more the religious oath-taking, but the simple promise to say the truth;
5. no law aiming at reducing the " freedom of the homme" cannot be adopted.

The Supreme Court proves to be the main obstacle with the presidency of Lerdo. Jose María Iglesias is the president and the cause of many dissensions. When Lerdo became president, Iglesias was elected Supreme president of Court with the approval of Lerdo, but Iglesias then commancé to be opposed to him. Later, in 1876 Iglesias revolts, applicant whom it was illegal for Lerdo to introduce to his re-election.

Economic developments of Lerdo are the reflection of a deep nationalism. Railroads are built and the improved communications. Its enemies reproach him the slowness of progress, speaking about stagnation, they do not realize that modernization must be slow and that with patience, co-operation and the required funds it is on the way. Telegraph lines are create, the improved roads and the government buys four ships for the Coast Guard, it acts of the beginnings of the Mexican navy. At the time of the revolution in 1876, when Lerdo gives up its mandate, three major railroads are built and operational. The revolution Porfirista will stop progress, going even until demolishing certain roads.

The fall

The Mexicans undoubtedly did not appreciate enough freedoms which it had under Lerdo. He had promised freedom of the press and held his word with a blind zeal. The press was for a good portion in its fall. It tested dicréditer constantly, to ridicule and later to destroy the government.

The failure of Lerdo is due to several factors which every man for himself could have been regarded as positive but which put together made it fall: Lerdo was inflexible and a tough will; it left the men of Juárez in place; it did not offer a station governmental to its partisans; it was held some with the laws and has do everything them to apply and to all; and the press misused freedom that it offered to him. Another reason falls on its Minister for the war, Ignacio Mejía. It is possible that voluntarily it did not act against the revolt of Oaxaca carried out by the forces of Porfirio Diaz. The obviousness shows that it was guilty of passive defection, which was a major blow carried with Lerdo, the main thing having been carried by Iglesias.

Three major events occurred en6:

1. Porfirio Díaz launches a revolution;
2. Lerdo is re-elected;
3. the president of Short Supreme, Jose María Iglesias, invalid the election of Lerdo and asserts the presidency in the name of the constitution.

The exile

Lerdo leaves Mexico City with its cabinet and some partisans. It will pass the remainder of its life (13 years) to New York in voluntary exile. He learned English alone and opened a law firm.

Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada dies on April 21st, 1889. Its body is sent to Mexico City where it is buried with the cemetery of Dolores in the Rotonda of mow Personas Ilustres .

Sources

• The Life off Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada, 1823-1889: With study off Influence and Obscurity. Knapp, Frank Averill, University off Texas Near, 1951.

External bond

• Historial Text Files: Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada

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