---

Benito Pablo Juarez (1806-1872) was an important 19th century Mexican political leader. He was a lawyer from 1834 to 1846 and in 1847 he was elected governor of Oaxaca. Juarez was part of the liberal movement, dedicated to constitutional government, reduction of the military and clerical power, and redistribution of the church's land. He was exiled by Santa Anna in 1853 but returned two years later to quickly became minister of justice, having the Juarez Law enacted which gave the church and army less power. Juarez was one of the leaders of the War of the Reform (1858-1860). On the success of the liberals, he was elected president of Mexico in 1861. One famous quote which Benito Juarez is remembered by, "el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz," means that peace is respect for each other. The government was very poor, so Juarez stopped payment of European loans for two years which caused the French to invade Mexico. Juarez led the war for freedom and again became president in 1867. He changed the land system, separated church and state, and instituted religious tolerance. In 1871, Juarez ran for president again, but neither candidate received a clear majority of votes. The Mexican Congress solved the problem by electing Juarez.

---