Describe the characteristics of the War of Reform (1857-60) in this artwork's Independence, Reform, Revolution Panel.
The War of Reform was a civil war growing out of Conservative reaction to progressive laws known as La Reforma passed by Liberals, initially led by Ignacio Comonfort and later by Juan Álvarez and Benito Juárez. Initially Oaxaca supported the Conservative side. The Liberal defeated the Conservatives and implemented reform legislation that began in 1854 with the Plan de Ayutla, calling for the removal of the dictator Santa Anna, leading to the Ley Juárez legislation that abolished the Fueros granting special legal and financial privileges to the Catholic Church. In Oaxaca, however, the lines between Conservatives and Liberals were not always clearly drawn. In 1857 the congress, passed a liberal, federalist constitution limiting the power of the church and the military.
Plan de Ayutla Ignacio Comonfort Oaxaca civil war Benito Juárez Ley Juárez War of Reform La Reforma Santa Anna Juan Álvarez Fuero Catholic Church Fueros Conservative