Why might Benito Juarez rise to power be considered surprising?

Benito Juárez's rise to power was considered surprising because he was of Zapotec descent, and Indigenous peoples were often marginalized and excluded from positions of power in Mexican society during that time.

Furthermore, Juárez's political career began during a period of great social and political upheaval in Mexico, known as the Reform War, which further added to the unexpected nature of his rise to power.

His humble origins and his ethnicity set him apart from the traditional ruling class of Mexico, and his success defied the societal norms and power dynamics of the time.