In March 1861, Lincoln was inaugurated as president at the same time as his colleague to the south, Benito Juarez, was sworn in as president of Mexico. Both were born very poor, both were self-made men who became lawyers, and both ultimately reached the highest office of their countries. Just as Lincoln was committed to stopping the spread of slavery, Juarez was dedicated to a series of liberal reforms that would improve conditions for the peons in Mexico.
