For thirty-four years diplomatic relations between that country and Austria-Hungary were severed.

The clerical-military combination had been overthrown, and the Mexican people had rearmed their independence.
As Juarez declared: "Peace means respect for the rights of others." Even if foreign dreams of empire in Mexico had vanished so abruptly, it could hardly be expected that a land torn for many years by convulsions could become suddenly tranquil.

With Diaz and other aspirants to presidential power, or with chieftains who aimed at setting up little republics of their own in the several states, Juarez had to contend for some time before he could establish a fair amount of order.

Under his successor, who also was a civilian, an era of effective reform began.

In 1873 amendments to the constitution declared Church and State absolutely separate and provided for the abolition of peonage--a provision which was more honored in, the breach than in the observance..