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'''Benito Juarez Garcia''' (1806 - 1872), national hero of [[Mexico]]; he was president from 1858 to 1872. Juarez was born in San Pablo Guelatao, in the southern state of [[Oaxaca]], Mexico on March 21, 1806. He was one of the very few Native Americans ever to become president. Juarez was a Zapotec Indian educated as a middle-class liberal often regarded as Mexico's greatest leader.  

'''Benito Juarez Garcia''' (1806 - 1872), national hero of [[Mexico]]; he was president from 1858 to 1872. Juarez was born in San Pablo Guelatao, in the southern state of [[Oaxaca]], Mexico on March 21, 1806. He was one of the very few Native Americans ever to become president. Juarez was a Zapotec Indian educated as a middle-class liberal often regarded as Mexico's greatest leader.  

Juarez became a lawyer in 1835, on 1847 he became governor of Oaxaca and on 1857 became the Minister of Justice. During the period known as [[Mexican Reform]] laws sponsored by the Liberal Party curtailed the power of the [[Roman Catholic]] church and the military. Juarez on 1855 decreed a law which separated church and government. This launched the War of Reform fought from December 1857 to January 1861. Between 1859 and 1863, Juarez proclaimed the Laws of Reform.  

Juarez became a lawyer in 1835, on 1847 he became governor of Oaxaca and on 1857 became the Minister of Justice. During the period known as [[Mexican Reform]] laws sponsored by the Liberal Party curtailed the power of the [[Roman Catholic]] church and the military. Juarez on 1855 decreed a law which separated church and government; this law was "...the spark that produced the flame of the Reform that in later times would consume the decaying structure of abuse and prejudice...". This launched the War of Reform fought from December 1857 to January 1861. Between 1859 and 1863, Juarez proclaimed the Laws of Reform.  

From 1862 to 1867 Juarez led the Mexican opposition to the French intervention (2nd Mexican Empire). When [[Civil War]] was over, the [[United States]] invoked the [[Monroe Doctrine]] to give diplomatic recognition to Juarez' government and supply weapons and funding to the Republicanism forces. On 1867 Emperor's forces were defeated and [[Archduke Maximilian]] was sentenced to death (June 19) and executed at the Cerro de las Campanas, [[Queretaro]].  

From 1862 to 1867 Juarez led the Mexican opposition to the French intervention (2nd Mexican Empire). When [[Civil War]] was over, the [[United States]] invoked the [[Monroe Doctrine]] to give diplomatic recognition to Juarez' government and supply weapons and funding to the Republicanism forces. On 1867 Emperor's forces were defeated and [[Archduke Maximilian]] was sentenced to death (June 19) and executed at the Cerro de las Campanas, [[Queretaro]]. Juárez entered Mexico City on July 15, 1867.  

The McLane-Ocampo Treaty (formally the Treaty of Transit and Commerce), negotiated on 1859 in Veracruz, could be the only important mistake in Juarez’s government.  Fortunately it was never ratified by the US Senate.  

The McLane-Ocampo Treaty (formally the Treaty of Transit and Commerce), negotiated on 1859 in Veracruz, could be the only important mistake in Juarez’s government.  Fortunately it was never ratified by the US Senate.  

Juarez died while in office on July 18, 1872, in Mexico City. He received from most of the countries of America the recognition as "Benemérito de las Américas”.

Juarez died while in office on July 18, 1872, in Mexico City. He received from most of the countries of America the recognition as "Benemérito de las Américas”.