Why Porfirio Díaz Resigned in 1911: The Mexican Revolution and Treaty of Ciudad Juárez

Porfirio Díaz, Mexico's president for 31 of the previous 35 years (1876–1880, 1884–1911), resigned on May 25, 1911, and went into exile in France. His downfall resulted from the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920).

The Spark: 1910 Election and Plan of San Luis Potosí

Díaz promised free elections in 1910 but imprisoned opponent Francisco I. Madero and declared himself winner. Madero escaped, issued the Plan of San Luis Potosí (Oct 1910), calling for nullification of the election and armed revolt on Nov 20.

Revolution Spreads

• North: Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa capture Ciudad Juárez (May 1911).
• South: Emiliano Zapata rises in Morelos (Plan de Ayala, Nov 1911).
• Elsewhere: Local uprisings; Federal Army demoralized, ineffective.

U.S. Pressure

President Taft mobilized 20,000 troops on the border. Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson mediated but U.S. leaned toward Madero. Díaz realized he lacked domestic and international support.

Treaty of Ciudad Juárez (May 21, 1911)

Signed by Díaz's finance minister (Limantour) and Madero's representatives:

• Díaz and VP Ramón Corral resign.
• Interim president (Francisco León de la Barra) calls new elections.
• Federal Army remains; revolutionary forces disband (controversial).
• Political prisoners released; press freedom restored.

Resignation and Exile

Díaz resigned May 25, sailed from Veracruz to France (via Cuba, Spain). Died in Paris 1915. Madero won Oct 1911 election but was overthrown/murdered 1913 (Ten Tragic Days), deepening the revolution.

Díaz fell because his regime could not contain the revolutionary forces he'd unleashed by reneging on democracy, and because he lost the army's loyalty and U.S. tolerance.