Evaluate the contribution of Porfirio Díaz to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the contributions of Porfirio Díaz to the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution, weighing up his importance or otherwise. Some factors may predate the timeframe, but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to Díaz’s personalistic dictatorship, his disregard for the 1857 Constitution and his use of repression. They may refer to social inequality and poverty under his rule. They may also refer to the issue of Díaz’s succession. Both Díaz’s importance and limitations must be clearly indicated, but there does not need to be an equal focus on each. While other relevant factors, such as the rise of new political figures, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.