Language
Country/Area
No result found
Behind the 1952 election: How did Ruiz Cortines defeat his rivals?
In 1952, on the Mexican political stage, Ruiz Cortines successfully defeated various competitors and became the country's president with his steady image and reform ideas. The election came against a tumultuous backdrop, with then-President Mibel Aleman's political style sparking discontent and paving the way for Cortines' victory.
Ruiz Cortines won not only because of his political strategy, but also because of the refreshing image he displayed. His commitment to cleansing corruption and emphasizing integrity won the hearts of the people.
Ruiz Cortines' political career began in 1944 when he was elected governor of Veracruz. During his administration, he worked to expand public education and improve infrastructure. This series of achievements laid a solid foundation for his future presidential term. As the 1952 elections approached, Cortines gradually emerged as the candidate of the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party).
In 1951, his rivals included Henriques Guzmán, a former military executive, and Efraín González Luna, the majority party nominee. In contrast, although Cortines comes from a more ordinary political background, his firm reform intentions and clean image have made him the new hope of voters.
Cortines' slogan "Thrift and Work" resonated with voters. One of his campaign promises was to give women the right to vote, which was a major social reform at the time.
During the election, Cortines promised that if elected, he would initiate necessary legal reforms so that women could enjoy equal political rights. This promise was finally successfully realized during his term as president, when he amended Article 34 of the Mexican Constitution to grant women the right to vote, which became a historic moment.
Cortines' electoral strategy also allowed him to gain broad support within the party, including young senators such as Adolfo López Mateos and Gustavo Díaz O Erdas' support. These people not only know how to wield power, but also know how to attract young voters, which added a lot of help to Cortines' victory.
Yet Cortines' election was not without challenges. After the election day, some supporters questioned the legitimacy of the election results and alleged electoral fraud. This triggered a series of protests that eventually led to the government using force to suppress the protesters. This series of events still affects people's trust in the government.
As soon as Cortines became president, he began to combat corruption and instituted policies to promote transparency and responsible behavior in government.
Cortines has lived up to his word during his presidency, focusing on fighting corruption and promoting social and economic reforms. His frugal and responsible policies led to Mexico's economic boom in the 1950s, the so-called "Mexican Miracle." During this period, the annual economic growth was stable and laid a good foundation for subsequent development.
Cortines' political career is full of twists and turns, but behind his success is his firm will and clear direction of reform. Looking back at this period of history, one cannot help but think: In today's political environment, how can real reformers rise?
