Isabella Carter
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, officially the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, was the country's first constitution. It was enacted on October 4, 1824, establishing the First Mexican Republic. The constitution was the culmination of months of debate in Congress, which had been elected to reflect federalist ideas following Emperor Augustine's fall in 1823. The constitution was modelled on the Hispanic Constitution of 1812, establishing a system of government with a president and vice president, a representative, popular, federal republic, and freedom of religion for the Catholic Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of enactment | 4 October 1824 |
| First constitution of Mexico | Yes |
| Religion | Roman, Catholic, Apostolic |
| Type of government | Representative, popular, federal republic |
| Executive branch | President and vice president |
| Term of office | Four years |
| Election | Elected by legislative bodies of the states |
| Power | Limited |
| Congress | Two houses |
| Meeting time | 1 January to 15 April |
| Deputies in the lower house | Two-year term |
| Senators | Four-year term |
| Judicial power | Supreme Court and superior courts of departments and districts |
| Supreme Court composition | Eleven judges and the attorney general |
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What You'll Learn
The constitution was enacted on 4 October 1824
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, officially titled the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, was enacted on 4 October 1824. It was the first constitution of Mexico, inaugurating the First Mexican Republic. The constitution was ratified by Congress after months of debate, establishing Roman Catholicism as the state religion and outlining the government's adoption of a representative, popular, federal republic.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was modelled on the Spanish Constitution of 1812, also known as the Hispanic Constitution of 1812, which had been promulgated during the insurgency led by José María Morelos. It established a system of ''provincial deputations', granting more autonomy to local governments in the colonies while also providing for freedom of speech. The 1824 constitution, however, was not a mere copy of its 1812 predecessor. It was shaped by the unique circumstances of Mexico at the time, including the assertion of states' rights by the former provinces.
The principal innovations of the 1824 constitution included republicanism, federalism, and the presidency. It established a single executive branch composed of a president and a vice president, although Congress retained its interpretive power over the document. The president's powers were limited, and they were elected for four-year terms by the legislative bodies of the states, with the lower house of Congress deciding in the case of a tie or lack of a majority.
The constitution's enactment followed the overthrow of the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide and the revolt led by General Jose María Lobato, which demonstrated the need for a unified and swift executive response to large-scale uprisings. The constitution was abolished twice, first in 1836 and again in 1844, but was reinstated several times before a new constitution was enacted in 1857.
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It established Mexico as a representative, popular, federal republic
The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 was the first constitution of Mexico, enacted on October 4, 1824, establishing Mexico as a representative, popular, federal republic. This came about after the overthrow of the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide, and the election of a constitutional Congress that reflected federalist ideas. The Constitution was abolished twice, first in 1836 and again in 1844, but was reinstated several times.
The 1824 Constitution was modelled on the Hispanic Constitution of 1812, though it did adopt some practical applications from the U.S. Constitution, such as the executive branch. The Mexican document was based primarily on Hispanic constitutional and legal precedents, as many of the men who drafted it had served in the Cortes of Cádiz and helped write the 1812 Constitution. Both the 1812 and 1824 Constitutions established powerful legislatures and weak executives. However, the 1824 Constitution was not a copy of the 1812 Constitution. Events in Mexico, such as the assertion of states' rights by the former provinces, forced Congress to frame a constitution that met the unique circumstances of the nation.
The Constitution of 1824 established Catholicism as the state religion, with the Church supported by the state. Congress was given the power to interpret the document. 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 the case of a tie or lack of a majority. The president's power was limited, and Congress held supremacy. There were two houses in Congress, which met annually from January 1 to April 15. Deputies in the lower house served two-year terms, while senators were selected by their state legislatures for four-year terms.
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Catholicism was made the state religion
The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 was the first constitution of Mexico, enacted on October 4, 1824, inaugurating the First Mexican Republic. The constitution was composed of 7 titles and 171 articles. It established Catholicism as the official religion of the state, with the Catholic Church protected and supported by the public treasury.
Article 3 of the constitution states that the "religion of the Mexican nation is and will permanently be the Roman, Catholic, Apostolic [religion]. The nation protects her with wise and just laws and prohibits the exercise of any other [religion]." This meant that Catholicism was the only permitted religion in the nation, with all other religions prohibited by law.
The establishment of Catholicism as the state religion was influenced by the Hispanic Constitution of 1812, which was promulgated during the Mexican War of Independence and granted more autonomy to local governments in the colonies. The Constitution of 1824 also established a system of federalism, with a weak executive and a powerful legislature, and introduced the positions of president and vice president.
The First Mexican Republic, also known as the First Federal Republic, lasted from 1824 until 1835 when it was repealed by conservatives who transformed it into a unitary state, ending the period of federalism and religious freedom established by the Constitution of 1824.
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The president's power was limited
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, enacted on October 4, 1824, was the country's first constitution. It established Mexico as a representative, popular, federal republic with a president and vice president at its head. However, the president's power was limited.
The constitution created a system of government with a separation of powers, including a strong legislature and a weak executive. The legislature was composed of two houses that met annually from January 1 to April 15. The president could prolong the session for an additional thirty days and call extra sessions. Deputies in the lower house served two-year terms, while senators were selected by their state legislatures for four-year terms. The constitution also established a Supreme Court and superior courts in departments and districts to hold judicial power.
The limitations on the president's power reflected the Mexican people's preference for legislative supremacy and a weak executive branch. This was influenced by the unique circumstances of the nation at the time, including the assertion of states' rights by the former provinces. The constitution's creators aimed to address these circumstances through innovations such as republicanism, federalism, and the presidency while also drawing on Hispanic constitutional and legal precedents.
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Congress had two houses
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, officially titled the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, was enacted on October 4, 1824, and established the First Mexican Republic. It was the first constitution of Mexico.
The Constitution of 1824 established a representative, popular, federal republic with Catholicism as the official religion. It also introduced the system of federalism and republicanism. The supreme executive power of the federation was vested in a single individual, the President of the United Mexican States, with a vice president to assume authority in case of the president's incapacity. The president and vice president were elected for four-year terms by the legislative bodies of the states. The constitution established powerful legislatures and a weak executive, with numerous limitations on the president's powers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 was Mexico's first constitution, enacted on October 4, 1824, establishing the First Mexican Republic.
The constitution established a representative, popular, federal republic with a president and vice president. The president and vice president were elected for four-year terms by the legislative bodies of the states.
Congress was the final interpreter of the constitution, composed of two houses that met annually from January 1 to April 15. Congress held more power than the president, with the ability to prolong the session for an additional 30 days and call extra sessions.
The constitution established the Catholic religion as the state faith, supported by the public treasury, and prohibited the exercise of any other religion.
The constitution was created by a constitutional Congress that reflected federalist ideas. Stephen F. Austin conferred with Mexican leaders, and Juan José María Erasmo Seguín represented Texas in the constituent assembly.
