Alemán Valdés, Miguel, << `ah` lay MAHN vahl DAYS, mee GEHL >> (1900?-1983), served as president of Mexico from 1946 to 1952. During his early political career, from 1934 to 1936, Alemán represented the state of Veracruz as a senator. From 1936 to 1939, he served as governor of Veracruz. In 1940, Alemán became secretary of government in the Mexican cabinet and, in 1946, president.
As president, Alemán tried to modernize Mexico. He emphasized the development of industry and major infrastructure projects. Infrastructure projects involve essential services and facilities, such as dams, roads, and railways. Alemán’s government attempted to spur industrialization by supporting both private and government-owned businesses. He also encouraged foreign investment in Mexico.
Alemán moved away from some goals of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. For example, he slowed the distribution of land to rural communities. He also extended government control over labor unions by dismissing or replacing many labor leaders. In foreign relations, Alemán sought closer ties to the United States.
During Alemán’s time in office, Mexico’s gross national product (GNP)—the value of goods and services produced in the country in a given period—increased steadily. During Alemán’s term, however, the Mexican peso’s value was cut by nearly half. The drop in the currency’s value hurt consumers and workers. In addition, political corruption—particularly involving the granting of government contracts—reportedly became widespread. Alemán’s time as president helped him become one of Mexico’s richest men at the time of his death.
Sources disagree on Alemán’s date of birth, but he probably was born on Sept. 29, 1900, in Sayula, Veracruz. From 1961 until his death, Alemán was director general of Mexico’s National Tourism Commission. He died on May 14, 1983.
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