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Latin America over the 19th century developed a reputation for instability. This included Mexico until Díaz and his Científicos seized power (1876). For over four decades, Mexico was nothing but boringly stable. The country was seen from Europe and North America as being stable and well run, a solid credit risk. No one understood the seething cultural tensions brewing under he surface. To be fair neither did Mexicans, including Díaz and Madero. For that matter, the same was probably true of Villa and Zapata. While the two great patron saints of the Revolution knew of the inequities, they did not understand the ability to challenge the Porfiriato. Francisco Madero was no revolutionary. In fact, he was the least likely revolutionary figure of the 20th century--a century full of revolutions and revolutionaries. Perhaps why Díaz did not take him seriously. Madero simply wanted an honest election and moderate reforms. Madero bravely opposed Díaz when it was dangerous and could have cost him his life.
【Cumberland, p. 70.】 Madero campaigned vigorously and vocally across the country, advocating reform and generating widespread support. He and 5,000 others were arrested (June 6, 1910). The election was held (June 10). The huge Díaz victory was widely seen as fraudulent. Madero escaped. While he was not a revolutionary himself. He had, however, some real revolutionaries on his side. This was the beginning of the Mexican Revolution, but not the bloody struggle that the Revolution became. Madero was now a wanted man and evaded rearrest by fleeing to America, first to New Orleans and then to Dallas and finally San Antonio. He issued his Plan of San Luis Potosí, which had been written while in prison. 【Ross, p. 114.】 Madero proclaimed the elections of 1910 and Díaz's victory null and void. Meanwhile back in Mexico, the had begin to spread an intensify. Francisco Villa was an ardent supporter of Madero. He formed the Army of the North and seized control of Chihuahua. Ciudad Juárez was a border town in Chihuahua and a source of American arms. Zapata rising in the south (Morelos) joined the growing coalition against Díaz. Zapata's vision was the Plan de Ayala, expressed in battle cry "Reforma, Libertad, Justicia y Ley!" which eventually became "Tierra y Libertad!". 【Noble, p. 2376.】 Madero reentered Mexico and Ciudad Juárez He signed the Treaty of Ciudad Juárez with the Díaz forces, ending the fighting (May 17, 1911) Díaz had to resign as a condition for an armistice. Díaz resigned (May 25). He fled the country (May 26). Díaz found refuge in France where he is buried. Madero appointed Francisco León de la Barra as interim president to replace Díaz. León de la Barra was an arch conservative and opposed many of the reforms that Madero had championed. The effect was deeply disappointing to Villa, Zapata, and others who had hoped for real change.
Cumberland, Charles C. Mexican Revolution: Genesis Under Madero (Austin: University of Texas Press: 1952).
Noble, John. Mexico Volume 10 (Lonely Planet: 2000).
Ross, Stanley R. Francisco I. Madero: Apposte of Democracy (New York: Colommbia University Press, 1955).
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