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A Representation of Porfirio Diaz

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This weeks reading was an article written in 1908 by James Creelman titles “Porfirio Díaz, Hero of the Americas”. The article is an attempt to create a benevolent image if Diaz in his last year of presidency. Although Diaz was seen by many as an authoritarian leader, the article tries to let Diaz justify his strict policies of capital punishment and rights to vote. the President acknowledges that they "were harsh to the point of cruelty. But it was all necessary then to the life and progress of the nation". Aside from flattering descriptions of the President's appearance, the article is laced with a number of contradictions. One is in regards to his reasoning for the restrictions put on priests. Diaz claims to be a believer in democracy however restricted priests not only from wearing "distinctive dress" in public but also, he "allowed no priest to vote". His reason being, was so that "the humblest Mexican shall be so far freed from the past that he can stand upright and unafraid in the presence of any human being". However, a typical photo of Diaz is usually in distinctive military dress, which does not free people of the past and it comes across as intimidating. Not to mention the descriptions of Diaz in this article seem to create him into some sort of super-human, or at least someone to be admired and seen as 'above' the rest. I think that the article can be convincing at times, however only if one is not aware of, or forgets Diaz's history of authoritarian leadership. I wonder, what was the author's intention in writing this article? was it to give the President a 'final word' before his retirement? what was the point in describing him in such a 'romantic' way? was this simply the trending style of writer's at the time to gain interest from the reader? I do not know a lot about the history of Porfirio Diaz, and honestly never heard the name before this week. Perhaps there are other's that might say this article had political intentions, however, i cannot say that because i do not know enough. It does seem that the author is intentionally portraying Diaz in a way that seems very suggestive. There seems to be a lot of focus on the economic growth of Mexico during the time Diaz was in power. However, to me, this does not seem to paint the whole picture of a countries success, happiness, and freedom. What is the reasoning for this focus? Is it because there was such an economic boom in Latin America at the time that liberalism and the growing market was their evaluation of success?
 
  
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Porfirio Diaz

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The document this week was an interview between American journalist James Creelman and Porfirio Diaz, the president of Mexico. In his writing, Creelman is very complimentary of Diaz and is full of praise. At times it even seems a bit … Continue reading read full post >>
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Week 7: On “The Export Boom as Modernity”

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This chapter deals mainly with two topics–politics and economy–during the time when the majority of Latin America was progressing in modernity. Although having very poor understanding of economics and not so much better understanding of politics, I’m highly interested in the political part of this chapter. Although I’m aware that the document is a highly romantic eulogy of […] read full post >>
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"Porfirio Díaz, Hero of the Americas”

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The premise of the interview by James Creelman to President Profirio Díaz of Mexico is to explore the politics of Mexico as his presidency finalizes. 
The interview is structured and written in a very unusual fashion.  Creelman begins by glorifying Profirio in such a manner that its almost a praise.  It's not written in casual spoken language, but in a poetic, or literary style. It's more about Creelmans experience of being in the presence of Díaz than it is a structured interview, or so it seems.  
Nonetheless, the interview does cover many interesting topics within the mexican politics of today and yesterday.  Díaz was the Mexican leader for 30 years, as he watched, and directed the changes and progressions.  He speaks of the great development of the railway as it went from just two tracks to cross the country into thousands.  With this technological advancement communication became much more facilitated.  At the start of his term the trains were robbed frequently so the government implemented strict laws against theft, the death penalty.  He states that a small bit of bad blood to be spilled is needed to save the majority of the good blood.  
I was surprised to learn that Mexico has no middle class nor did it have in the past.  Díaz explains that the middle class citizens are those of political action, those working towards progression, and those with ambition.  [The upper class had no need for this because they were too concerned in their riches, and the poor were too ignorant to have power]. The country was caught up in war and politics and was unable to concern themselves with progression at the end of the Spanish Tyranny.  Creelman interrupts the conversation therefore we do not learn why the Mexico of today has no middle class.  

The language which Díaz uses to speak of the indigenous populations was shocking as well. He explains the worship of the "Indians" to the Virgin de Guadalupe and then explains that they rely on the government for guidance as they do not concern themselves with the politics of the country. 
All public religious practices and displays were outlawed not because they are against religion but against idolatry and to show equality to everyone with respects to human rights.  Creelman does ask an interesting question about how the government is able to keep itself in check when no opponents exist?  His response was that if indeed an opponent does sugiere he will accept it respectively because it is not about the ideology of the democracy that is important but the advancement of Mexico as a nation. 
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Doc 4.1 Porfirio Diaz, Hero of the Americas

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In this excerpt, Porfirio Diaz, the President who served Mexico for 40 years, is described as the man who set the Mexican people free. After centuries of Spanish cruelty and greed, he established order and through that progress in Mexico. He created a “modern” Mexico, and as a result was named as a Heroic figure to his people. In his 40 years of presidency, he managed to increase foreign trade and investment in Mexico, with the hope to become modern and see positive results from socio-economic growth, and at the...read more read full post >>
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Doc 4.1 Porfirio Diaz, Hero of the Americas

Posted by: feedwordpress

In this excerpt, Porfirio Diaz, the President who served Mexico for 40 years, is described as the man who set the Mexican people free. After centuries of Spanish cruelty and greed, he established order and through that progress in Mexico. He created a “modern” Mexico, and as a result was named as a Heroic figure to his people. In his 40 years of presidency, he managed to increase foreign trade and investment in Mexico, with the hope to become modern and see positive results from socio-economic growth, and at the...read more read full post >>
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Doc 4.1 Porfirio Diaz, Hero of the Americas

Posted by: feedwordpress

In this excerpt, Porfirio Diaz, the President who served Mexico for 40 years, is described as the man who set the Mexican people free. After centuries of Spanish cruelty and greed, he established order and through that progress in Mexico. He created a “modern” Mexico, and as a result was named as a Heroic figure to his people. In his 40 years of presidency, he managed to increase foreign trade and investment in Mexico, with the hope to become modern and see positive results from socio-economic growth, and at the...read more read full post >>
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Order, then Progress & “Porfirio Díaz, Hero of the Americas”

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The export boom is a familiar story for other post-colonial countries. Once the Europeans were removed from government it was a matter of time before the local people began to optimize their resources for their own benefit and establish social hierarchies of their own – both race and gender based; however, this proved to be […] read full post >>
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Order, then Progress & “Porfirio Díaz, Hero of the Americas”

Posted by: feedwordpress

The export boom is a familiar story for other post-colonial countries. Once the Europeans were removed from government it was a matter of time before the local people began to optimize their resources for their own benefit and establish social hierarchies of their own – both race and gender based; however, this proved to be […] read full post >>
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Latin American Studies – Krista Anderson 2014-10-14 13:25:00

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Dawson Chapter 4:The document  "Porfirio Diaz, Hero of the Americas" describes Diaz's letting go of Mexico as he finishes his last term in his legacy. Creelman introduces him as a hero through describing his physical attributes in great detail. He... read full post >>
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