Francisco Indalecio Madero González
President of Mexico
(1873-1913)
Other names: Francisco Ignacio Madero[O94]
Biographical
President of Mexico following his leadership of the revolutionary movement
which deposed Porfirio Diaz, who had been at the head of the
government for more than a generation. He was a liberal in politics and
always an idealist.[I19D]
Having become interested in politics as a result of fraudulent elections
in 1903 and in 1908, he published a book in which he attacked the policy
and administration of President Diaz. The book was immediately suppressed,
but his open attack made him the only possible candidate against Diaz
in 1910, and the supporters of the president promptly had him arrested
on absurd charges, on June 27, 1910. He was released too late to take
part in the election, but immediately issued The Plan of San Luis Potosi,
advocating effective suffrage and no re-election, but appealing for an
uprising. He was forced to flee to the United States, but his adherents
opened the revolution and Madero returned to direct the campaign. He was
successful, and Diaz, seeing the futility of further resistance, finally
made peace in May, 1911.[I19D]
In October Madero was unanimously elected President, but throughout his
administration he was harassed by revolutions. General Huerta,
commander of the government troops, deserted him, and in 1912 Madero and
the Vice-President were arrested and forced to resign. On
February 23, 1913, while being transferred from one prison to another,
they were both murdered. No satisfactory explanation of this outrage was
offered, but it is generally understood that Huerta instigated the act.[I19D]
Place of birth and baptism (1874): Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila[O94]
Place of marriage and death: Mexico City[O94]
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