Revolution of Ayutla and Reform Laws

The Revolution of Ayutla

• The Revolution of Ayutla, an armed movement, ousted Santa Anna in 1855
• Involved intellectuals and creative minds who sought social reform and a more stable Mexico
• Figures like Melchor Ocampo, a lawyer and scholar, were influential
• Ocampo practiced law, studied agriculture, and cataloged flora and fauna
• He was governor of Michoacán and a congressman, involved in a dispute with the clergy
• Santos Degollado and Guillermo Prieto also challenged corruption in the church and state
• Benito Juárez emerged as a key leader, a Zapotec Indian
• Juárez was educated, worked his way through law school, and became politically active
• He challenged clerical fees and local landowners
• Juárez served as a governor, made improvements to Oaxaca, and challenged Santa Anna

The Reform Laws

• Juan Alvarez became provisional president, followed by Ignacio Comonfort
• Key figures included Ignacio Comonfort, Melchor Ocampo, and Miguel Lerdo de Tejada
• Juárez was secretary of justice
• The Reform aimed to remove conservative structures and create a modern, democratic nation
• Ley Juárez abolished special privileges for the military and clergy, enforcing equality before the law
• This was a key part of the reformers' attempts to restructure Mexican society
• Ley Lerdo restricted church and religious institutions' land ownership
• Measures like this challenged the social and religious order of the time

The War of Reform

• The War of Reform took place from 1858 to 1861, a major conflict within Mexico
• Conservative General Félix Zuloaga proclaimed the Plan de Tacubaya and removed Juárez from power
• Conservatives fought for support from the church and traditional powers
• Juárez, supported by liberals and others, fought against the conservative rule, seeking refuge and eventual return
• Liberals had to reorganize their forces, securing resources and support in regions like Veracruz
• The war was characterized by violence and conflict, with various factions and leaders vying for control

The French Intervention

• Foreign intervention occurred as Mexico struggled with internal conflict and financial crisis
• Spain, Britain, and France sought to collect their debts from Mexico in 1861
• France's interest was to establish a monarchy, with significant military involvement
• The French army arrived in 1862, facing staunch resistance at the Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo)
• Juárez and his supporters moved to other parts of Mexico, continuing their efforts to resist occupation
• A year later, the French ultimately entered Mexico City, leading to the establishment of a new government with Maximilian as emperor

The New Government

• With French backing. Maximilian of Habsburg was declared emperor of Mexico in 1863
• This sparked internal conflict and resistance within Mexico
• The republican forces continued to fight against French and conservative rule
• The presence of Juárez and his supporters remained active, despite challenges in moving their forces
• The US Civil War, along with growing opposition to the French presence in Mexico. led to French withdrawal
• In 1867, Maximilian's military forces were defeated, and he was executed
• Juárez, having survived, returned to power, reestablishing the republic

Explore the pivotal events surrounding the Revolution of Ayutla, which led to the ousting of Santa Anna in 1855. Learn about key figures like Melchor Ocampo and Benito Juárez who fought for social reform and challenged corruption. The quiz covers the movement's impact on Mexico's political landscape and the subsequent reform laws that shaped the nation.