Simone Lawson
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was formulated by the Mexican congress and emphasised a federal government structure, which appealed to Texans. The constitution was inspired by the US Constitution and the Spanish Constitution of 1812, incorporating the federal system of government and principles of checks and balances. It allowed for numerous limitations on the powers of the president, with Congress serving as the final interpreter of the document. The Catholic religion was established as the state faith, with the church supported by the public treasury. The document sparked controversy, leading to the Texas Revolution, as it abolished slavery and was abandoned by Santa Anna, causing revolts across Mexico.
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What You'll Learn
Inspired by the US Constitution
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was influenced by the US Constitution, as well as the Spanish Constitution of 1812. The US Constitution served as a model for the Mexican Constitution, with the latter adopting certain features from the former.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 emphasised a federal government, which appealed to the Texans, rather than a centralist one. This federal system of government was inspired by the US Constitution, which also espoused federalism. The Mexican Constitution's principles of checks and balances were also derived from the American model.
The US Constitution's influence on the Mexican Constitution can also be seen in the latter's adoption of certain democratic political rights and duties. The Mexican Constitution of 1824, like its American counterpart, recognised the importance of popular representation and the natural and political rights of men.
However, it is important to note that the Mexican Constitution was not a mere copy of the US Constitution. Some scholars argue that the Mexican Constitution's federalism was, in fact, more radical and less centre-oriented than the American version. Additionally, the Spanish Constitution of 1812 had a significant influence on the Mexican Constitution, particularly in its emphasis on sovereignty vested in the nation and the natural and political rights of men.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was a product of the founders of the Mexican State's interpretation of the US constitutional model. It reflected their understanding of the US Constitution and their desire to create a federal, democratic system that respected individual rights and state autonomy.
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Influenced by the Spanish Constitution of 1812
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was influenced by the Spanish Constitution of 1812, also known as "La Pepa", which was the first written Spanish constitution and was regarded as the founding document of liberalism in Spain. The Mexican Constitution of 1824 emphasised a federal government, which appealed to the Texans, rather than a centralist one.
The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was promulgated in Cádiz on 19 March 1812 during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814). It had ten titles and 384 articles and was of a markedly liberal character. It was the first constitution in Spain to establish national sovereignty and the division of powers. Its principal characteristic was its declared intention to introduce a thorough reorganization of the state based on liberal principles.
The Constitution gave Spanish citizenship to natives of the territories that had belonged to the Spanish monarchy in both hemispheres. It included Indigenous peoples of the Americas in the grant of Spanish citizenship, but Afro-American peoples of the Americas had to acquire citizenship through naturalisation, excluding slaves. Spanish nationals were defined as all people born, naturalized, or permanently residing for more than ten years in Spanish territories. Voting rights were granted to Spanish nationals whose ancestry originated from Spain or the territories of the Spanish Empire.
The Constitution of 1812 also provided for the creation of a local government (an ayuntamiento) for every settlement of over 1,000 people. The provision was designed to transform the institution from one controlled by elites to representative institutions through elections. Elections were indirect, favouring the wealthy and socially prominent.
The Spanish Constitution of 1812 served as a model for the Mexican Constitution of 1824, as well as the Norwegian Constitution of 1814, the Portuguese Constitution of 1822, and various Italian states during their revolt of 1820-1821.
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Abolished slavery
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was the first constitution of Mexico, enacted on October 4, 1824, inaugurating the First Mexican Republic. It was based on the Constitution of Cádiz for American issues, the United States Constitution for the formula for federal representation and organization, and the Constitutional Decree for the Liberty of Mexican America of 1824, which abolished the monarchy. The 1824 Constitution was composed of 7 titles and 171 articles. It introduced the system of federalism in a popular representative republic with Catholicism as the official religion.
The Constitution of 1824 established a federal government, which appealed to the Texans, rather than a centralist one. The new legislature joined the two former Spanish provinces of Coahuila and Texas into one until the population of Texas was sufficient for a separate state.
The 1824 Constitution established powerful legislatures and weak executives. Congress was made the final interpreter of the document, and the Catholic religion was made the state faith, supported by the public treasury. The president and vice president were elected for four-year terms by the legislative bodies of the states, with the lower house of Congress to elect in case of a tie or lack of majority. Deputies in the lower house served two years, while senators were selected by their state legislatures for four-year terms.
Although the 1824 Constitution did not expressly state the rights of citizens, it did abolish slavery in the Republic. While Miguel Hidalgo promulgated the abolition in Guadalajara on December 6, 1810, and President Guadalupe Victoria also declared slavery abolished, it was President Vicente Guerrero who made the decree of Abolition of Slavery on September 15, 1829.
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Emphasised a federal government
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 emphasised a federal government, appealing to Texans who favoured federalism over a centralist government. The federal system of government was influenced by the US Constitution, adopting the principles of 'checks and balances'.
The Constitution of 1824 was the source of all Mexican law and was inspired by the US Constitution and the Spanish Constitution of 1812. It was formulated by the Mexican Congress and resembled a more decentralised form of federalism than the US model, stressing state autonomy. The Constitution of 1824 was also influenced by the Spanish Constitution of 1812, incorporating principles of popular representation and the natural and political rights of men.
The Texas Revolution was a protest against the Mexican government, in part due to the abolition of the 1824 Constitution by Santa Anna, which included democratic and libertarian institutions that were favoured by Texans. The colonists who participated in the Texas Revolution opposed violations of the Constitution of 1824, and the Texan army fought to restore it. The Constitution of 1824 was also important to the Cherokees, who were diplomatically active with both Mexico and Anglo settlers during the Texas Revolution.
The Constitution of 1824 had a significant impact on the rights and duties of the Mexican people, with slavery being banned in all Mexican territories in 1829 by President Vincente Guerrero. The federal government respected the status quo and was politically neutral, passive in relation to economic and social matters.
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Supported the Catholic Church
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 supported the Catholic Church in several ways. Firstly, it established the Catholic religion as the state faith, making it the official religion of Mexico. This meant that the Catholic Church had the backing and recognition of the government, and it was given financial support through public funds. The Constitution also affirmed the role of the Church in society and recognised its importance in the spiritual and religious life of the Mexican people.
The inclusion of the Catholic Church as the state faith in the Constitution was influenced by both the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and the United States Constitution. The Mexican deputies who drafted the 1824 Constitution looked to these earlier documents for inspiration and adapted their principles to suit the Mexican context. The Spanish Constitution of 1812, in particular, had a strong influence on the Mexican Constitution, with its principles of sovereignty, popular representation, and the natural and political rights of men being incorporated into the Mexican document.
The Catholic Church played a significant role in Mexican society during this time, and its inclusion in the Constitution was important to many people. The Church had been a powerful force in the country for centuries, and its presence in the Constitution helped to reinforce its influence and authority. The financial support provided by the government also ensured that the Church had the resources it needed to carry out its activities and maintain its position in society.
However, it's important to note that not everyone in Mexico was Catholic, and there were also influences from other constitutions that promoted secular natural law and secular positive law, which were products of the revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries. These laws emphasised that all individuals are created equal, with natural rights to property, liberty, and life, and that the government should be divided into separate, independent powers to recognise and secure these rights. While the Mexican Constitution of 1824 did not fully adopt these secular principles, the presence of other influences and the desire for a federal government structure may have been factors in the ultimate shape of the document.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was the first constitution of Mexico, inspired by the US Constitution of 1787 and the Spanish Constitution of 1812. It emphasised a federal government and was supported by colonists in Texas.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was influenced by the US Constitution's federal system of government and principles of 'checks and balances'. However, some argue that the Mexican Constitution was more radical and less centre-oriented than its US counterpart.
The Spanish Constitution of 1812 influenced the Mexican Constitution of 1824 by providing principles of 'sovereignty bested on the nation', popular representation, and the natural and political rights of men.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 established a federal government, with Congress as the final interpreter of the document. It made Catholicism the state religion and provided for the election of the president and vice president by legislative bodies of the states. It also included limitations on the powers of the president.
The Texas Revolution was a protest against the Mexican government, particularly due to the abolition of the 1824 Constitution by Santa Anna, which removed democratic and libertarian institutions valued by Texans. The colonists opposed these actions and sought to restore the Constitution of 1824.
