Background
Francisco I. Madero was born on October 30, 1873, in Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, the first son of Francisco Ignacio Madero Hernández and Mercedes González Treviño.
Francisco I. Madero was born on October 30, 1873, in Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, the first son of Francisco Ignacio Madero Hernández and Mercedes González Treviño.
Madero was educated at home by private teachers until, at age 12, he entered the Jesuit College of San Juan Nepomuceno in Saltillo. Then I study for a time in the United States and then at the Versailles High School and at the School of High Commercial Studies in Paris.
After studying, he settled on a farm in San Pedro de las Colonias, where he introduced modern farming techniques and improved the educational, housing, and health facilities of his workers. A devotee of homeopathy and spiritism, Madero was influenced by the latter system of beliefs to enter politics at first locally and then nationally as the means of serving his fellowmen. Beginning in 1905, he backed several local candidates and supported journalists opposing the Díaz regime.
The Creelman interview, in which President Díaz promised free elections, encouraged Madero to write his book Presidential Succession in 1910 and to participate in the organization of independent political groupings—both efforts being directed toward assuring the return of Mexico to the path of democracy. At first, willing to compromise with Díaz if an acceptable vice-presidential choice could be obtained, Madero moved first to a political and then a military challenge of the aging dictator.
Madero's courageous campaign earned him the title "Apostle of Democracy. " Imprisoned, he escaped to the United States and initiated the armed movement under the Plan of San Luis Potosí (October 5, 1910). The document was directed principally at political change, containing but a single paragraph on the land problem and nothing on labor. November 20 was set as the date for initiating the armed movement.
After several months of sporadic and ineffective efforts, the forces of Pascual Orozco in the north and those of Emiliano Zapata in the south began to force the Díaz regime to negotiate. Finally, the fall of Ciudad Juárez in May 1911 brought the relinquishment of power by Díaz, and a provisional, compromise government was set up under Francisco de la Barra. Venustiano Carranza warned that the "revolution that compromises, must be refought. "
Madero was elected president in a truly popular election and took office on November 6, 1911. His 15 months in office were marred by serious political opposition, the effort to accommodate both revolutionaries and the old regime in the government, the excessive influence of Madero's family, and four serious rebellions which threatened the existence of the regime, absorbed its attention and resources, and finally destroyed it.
In the south Zapata and his agrarians impatiently rebelled under the Plan of Ayala 3 weeks after Madero took office. In the north Gen. Bernardo Reyes headed a still-born movement, and the revolutionary Orozco, with conservative backing, posed a serious military threat for 5 months. Félix Díaz seized the port of Veracruz in an abortive move, and he and Reyes initiated the uprising in Mexico City on February 9, 1913, which after the "Ten Tragic Days" and the betrayal by Gen. Victoriano Huerta brought the first revolutionary government to an end.
Despite the hectic conditions, under the Madero government press and political freedom was maintained, reform proposals were freely discussed in the Chambers, an agrarian commission began to study the land problem, and an important labor organization, the Casa del Obrero Mundial, was established. However, freedom bred license. Mexico was not ready for political democracy, but fundamental reforms were urgently needed. Internal disorder, vested interests, the opposition of U. S. ambassador Henry Lane Wilson, and the betrayal by Huerta, who had been given command against the rebels in Mexico City, brought defeat and tragedy to the Madero government.
The diminutive, bearded Madero and his vice president Pino Suárez were forced to resign their posts and while being transferred from the palace to prison were shot by their escort on February 22, 1913.
He used to perform social welfare actions, such as founding a commercial school.
Madero was touring a large part of the Republic to found clubs with his ideals, until the government realized the danger it represented and decided to arrest him, Francisco was hiding until he was apprehended on June 7 in Monterrey.
While Madero was transferred to San Luis Potosi, Porfirio Diaz was declared the winner of the elections. That was when Madero, being released, opted for armed struggle.
The first days of October he was able to escape to San Antonio Texas and published the Plan of San Luis.
Madero y la Revolución
However, it was not until October 1911 once the Revolution was already widespread that Madero could and managed to attack Casas Grandes in Chihuahua. Meanwhile, Porfirio Diaz resigned from power on May 25 and embarked for Paris.
Madero entered Mexico City triumphantly on June 7.
Francisco I. Madero participated in the elections and won the victory, becoming president on November 6, 1911.
On February 9, 1913 a rebellion broke out that gave a coup to the Madero government who could not contain it and was overthrown.
On February 22, 1913 he was ambushed and killed in cold blood near the Lecumberri Palace in Mexico City.
Don Francisco was not revolutionary in the written sense of the word, but a reformist who loved law and peace.
He used to visit the peasants and gave them help because he knew he could generate change.
Madero came from one of the richest families in the country and with liberal ideas, but he used to support the people for the unfair treatment they received.
He used to read topics of political and social interest.
In January 1903, Francisco Madero married Sara Pérez, first in a civil ceremony, and then a Catholic nuptial mass celebrated by the archbishop. From all accounts, it was a happy marriage, but they had no children.