But the truth is that Francisco I. Madero himself claimed that his book, “The Presidential Succession in 1910,” which ignited the Mexican Revolution ending Porfirio Díaz’s dictatorship, was largely dictated by the spirit of Benito Juárez, a formidable enemy of Díaz. Moreover, some members of Madero’s family asserted that the book’s style did not resemble his usual writing. Madero was a wealthy landowner and businessman from Coahuila who, after studying abroad, returned to Mexico with a vision of democracy as practiced in other countries, but also with spiritist ideas. Madero saw in spiritism, founded in France by Allan Kardec, a means to improve the world, and it is said he decided to enter politics when he wrote, as if possessed: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” At 18, while studying in Paris, Francisco devoured “La Revue Spirite,” a spiritist magazine popular across Europe and the United States. He read many books on the subject and attended spiritist centers, where he was told he had mediumistic abilities. Imagine that! Furthermore, from a young age, he was struck by a ouija board telling him he would be the president of the country. As an adult, he abstained from alcohol, did not eat meat, and even studied homeopathic medicine to care for his peasants’ ailments. Thanks to spiritism, he became a beloved figure to his workers: he paid them well and helped their children obtain education. Who would believe these things that sound like laundromat gossip?
This article provides a fascinating and unconventional account of Madero's life, blending historical elements with personal anecdotes that underscore his commitment to spiritualist beliefs and his impact on Mexican politics.
