Simone Lawson
The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, was the direct catalyst for the Constitution of 1917, which is still in force today. The Constitution was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro, in the State of Querétaro, Mexico, by a constituent convention during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917 and has been amended several times. The Constitution of 1917 is considered to mark the culmination of the Mexican Revolution and served to legitimize it by enshrining in law many of the social and political changes for which the revolutionaries fought.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States |
| Year | 1917 |
| Articles | 137 |
| Amendments | Several |
| Human Rights | Guaranteed |
| Civil Liberties | Guaranteed |
| Economic and Political Principles | Established |
| Dictatorial Powers | Granted to the President |
| Land Reform | Mandated |
| Church and State | Separation |
| Secular Education | Established |
| Labour Rights | Empowered |
| Land Redistribution | Mandated |
| Indigenous Rights | Recognized |
| Term Limit for Presidency | Four years, later extended |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution of 1917
In conclusion, the Constitution of 1917 is a significant document in the history of Mexico, legalizing the Mexican Revolution and serving as a model for progressive constitutions around the world. It incorporated the aspirations of the revolutionary groups, including the separation of church and state, land reform, and the empowerment of the labour sector.
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Separation of church and state
The Mexican Revolution, which culminated in the Constitution of 1917, brought about significant changes in the relationship between church and state in Mexico. The Constitution of 1917, which is still in force today, is considered a progressive document that insisted on a complete separation of church and state. This separation was enshrined in Article 3, which established the basis for free, mandatory, and secular education, secularising the Mexican state.
The inclusion of Article 3 and other provisions in the 1917 Constitution reflected the revolutionary ideals of the time, which sought to curb the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico. The Church was seen as an antiliberal and antinationalist force, and its agenda was perceived to be imposed through its control of education and other aspects of society. The Constitution's emphasis on secularism and the separation of church and state was a direct response to the Church's support for the dictatorship of Victoriano Huerta, which the revolutionaries fought against.
The Mexican Revolution and the resulting Constitution, therefore, played a pivotal role in shaping the country's approach to the separation of church and state. This separation has been characterised as hostile, as it sought to limit the interference of the Church in state matters and vice versa. This model of secularism, which emerged during the French Revolution, was also evident in Mexico and aimed to restrict religion to the private sphere.
The degree of separation between church and state in Mexico has evolved over time, with some anti-clerical laws being eased, particularly around the 1979 visit of Pope John Paul II. However, the core principle of separation remains firmly entrenched in Mexican politics, as evidenced by the Mexican president's opposition to a bill that would relax the legal separation between church and state. This proposal, which was met with criticism from across the political and religious spectrum, underscores the enduring significance of the separation of church and state in Mexico's political landscape.
In conclusion, the Mexican Revolution and the subsequent Constitution of 1917 were pivotal moments in the separation of church and state in Mexico. The Constitution's insistence on secularism and the restriction of the Catholic Church's influence reflected the revolutionary ideals of the time. While the degree of separation has been contested and adjusted over the years, the core principle remains a fundamental aspect of Mexico's political doctrine.
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Land reform
The Mexican Revolution of 1910 brought about significant social reforms, which were codified in the Mexican Constitution of 1917. One of the key areas of reform was land reform, which was a response to peasant mobilisation against landed elites during the revolution. The peasants' right to land was enshrined in Article 27 of the 1917 Constitution, initiating land reform and marking the culmination of the Mexican Revolution.
The Mexican Revolution witnessed peasant struggles and mobilisation against landed elites, with many peasants fighting for the return of community lands. The loss of land by smallholders and indigenous communities accelerated during the Porfiriato, the regime of liberal general Porfirio Díaz, who took office in 1877. Díaz's land policies sought to attract foreign investment in Mexican mining, agriculture, and ranching, resulting in Mexican and foreign investors controlling most of the Mexican territory by 1910.
During the revolution, two leaders, Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, stand out for carrying out immediate land reform without formal state intervention. Zapata led peasants in the central state of Morelos, dividing large sugar haciendas into plots for subsistence agriculture. He also drafted the Plan of Ayala, which called for land reform and put the region in rebellion against the government. Unlike many other revolutionary plans, Zapata's was actually implemented, with villagers regaining control of village lands and seizing lands from sugar plantations. Pancho Villa, meanwhile, carried out land reform in northern Mexico.
The 1917 Constitution, drafted in Santiago de Querétaro, mandated the return of lands taken from the peasantry during the Porfiriato, even if they did not have written titles. It also laid the foundation for land reform in Mexico and the creation of the ejido system, which was a joint holding of land by local entities and the nation. Article 27 of the Constitution was later amended in 1992 to strengthen private property rights, allow the privatisation of ejidos, and end land redistribution.
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Workers' rights
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 introduced an advanced labour code that transformed workers' rights in the country. This was achieved through Article 123, which established the legal basis for unionisation, strikes, and improved conditions for workers. It also set forth regulations mandating an eight-hour workday, a six-day workweek, a minimum wage, and equal pay for equal work. The labour code emerged in the context of widespread labour unrest following decades of exploitation.
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 was drafted in the small, provincial city of Santiago de Querétaro, in the State of Querétaro, Mexico, by a group of political activists from across the country. It was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917 and was later amended several times. The constitution was a response to the armed insurrection of the popular classes during the Mexican Revolution, and it served as a model for progressive constitutions around the world, including the Weimar Constitution of 1919 and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Constitution of 1918.
The labour code was based on the acceptance of private property and free enterprise, but it also threatened to disrupt established patterns of business operations to improve the lives of workers. It gave the government the right to confiscate land from wealthy landowners and limited the rights of the Roman Catholic Church. The constitution also widened the educational base to include the availability of primary school for the Mexican masses.
In addition to Article 123, other important provisions in the Mexican Constitution of 1917 include Article 3, which established the basis for free, mandatory, and secular education, and Article 27, which laid the foundation for land reform in Mexico and national ownership of subsoil resources. These articles, along with Article 123, were considered the most important new concepts in the constitution.
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 also included provisions to protect the rights of indigenous immigrants and farm workers, improve women's health, and provide special educational and nutrition programs for children and young people belonging to immigrant families. It established specific budgets and procedures to ensure the enforcement of these obligations.
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Civil liberties
The current Constitution of Mexico, also known as the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917 and is considered the legal triumph of the Mexican Revolution. The Constitution of 1917 is still in force today, almost 100 years later, and has been amended several times.
The Constitution of 1917 incorporates the major features of the 1824 and 1857 charters regarding civil liberties, democratic forms, and anticlerical and anti-monopoly clauses. It also includes significant social reforms to labor laws and provides for equality in treatment without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, social or political condition, and more. The document reflects the experiences of those at the Constitutional Convention, most of whom were young, ambitious, and relatively apolitical.
The Constitution guarantees personal freedoms and civil liberties and establishes economic and political principles for the country. It defines national citizenship, outlines associated rights, and specifies freedoms for foreigners residing in Mexico. Article 3 establishes the basis for free, mandatory, and secular education, while Article 27 laid the foundation for land reform and outlined alternative land-reform and agrarian programs. Article 123, known as the Magna Carta of labour and social welfare, guaranteed minimum wages, the right to organize and strike, and outlined a comprehensive system of social security, including public health and welfare programs.
The Constitution of 1917 also includes provisions to protect civil liberties and human rights. It states that every individual in Mexico has certain rights that cannot be denied or suspended. It forbids all types of discrimination, including discrimination based on ethnic origin, national origin, gender, age, religion, opinions, sexual preferences, and more. It also includes provisions for due process and privacy, stating that no person shall be disturbed in their private affairs, family, papers, properties, or invaded at home without a written order from a competent authority.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mexican Constitution, also known as the Constitution of 1917, is the fundamental law of the Mexican federal republic. It was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro, in the State of Querétaro, Mexico, by a constituent convention during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917 and has been amended several times.
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 is the first document in the world to set out social rights. It includes cutting-edge social reforms, serving as a model for progressive constitutions around the world. It guarantees personal freedoms and civil liberties, establishes economic and political principles, and outlines human rights, land reform, and workers' rights.
The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, served as the direct catalyst for the Constitution. It placed into law many of the social and political changes for which the revolutionaries fought. The Constitution incorporated the aspirations of the groups involved in the Revolution, including agrarian reform. It also established a four-year term limit for the presidency, a reaction to the longstanding dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, which was the main impetus of the Revolution.
