Haciendas en el Porfiriato

After half a century of war, Mexico finally found peace with the arrival of General Porfirio Diaz. Despite bringing economic stability and progress, not all of the Mexican population benefited from his leadership.

Haciendas were crucial economic and social units in Mexico during this era, based on land and water use for cultivation and leasing. They relied on support from national or foreign companies, employing various workers such as peons, agricultural workers, artisans, cowboys, and shepherds.

Workers in haciendas, including peons, had limited rights and often lived in poverty. They were hired for specific periods, lived in remote areas, and were sometimes paid in cash or with provisions. There were differences in labor conditions between haciendas in the north and center of Mexico.

Porfirio Diaz's economic policies in the late 19th century transformed the economy, leading to the expansion and development of haciendas, particularly in northern Mexico. The workforce grew, and relationships between landowners and workers evolved, sometimes leading to tensions and labor exploitation.

Hacienda owners used various tactics like debt and coercion to retain laborers, fostering dependence and loyalty among workers. Indebtedness became a prevalent and effective tool in central Mexican haciendas to maintain control over the workforce.

Haciendas in southern Mexico focused on agriculture, with regions like Chiapas and Tabasco specializing in different crops. The demand for these products led to the need for machinery, hired labor, and sometimes foreign workers. The use of foreign labor increased over time.

Over time, the hacienda system began to decline, and the use of foreign labor decreased as local regions developed and workers gained more autonomy. The era of haciendas left a significant cultural legacy, reflected in films and artistic representations.