Jonah Patel
The current Constitution of Mexico, formally the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, 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 since. The Constitution of 1917 is divided into ten thematic titles, listing human rights, defining national citizenship, outlining associated rights, and specifying freedoms of foreigners residing in the country. It also establishes the government, public service, and social welfare, and designates Mexico City as the capital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date signed | 5 February 1917 |
| Formal name | Political Constitution of the United Mexican States |
| Location drafted | Santiago de Querétaro, State of Querétaro, Mexico |
| Number of articles | 137 |
| Amendments | Several |
| Purpose | To legitimize the Mexican Revolution |
| Key principles | Separation of Church and State, nationalization of subsoil resources, land reform, labor rights, civil liberties, democratic forms, abolition of slavery and caste distinctions, equality of citizenship |
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What You'll Learn
The current Constitution of Mexico is the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States
The current Constitution of Mexico, formally the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, 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 since. The Constitution of 1917 is the successor to the Constitution of 1857 and earlier Mexican constitutions.
The Constitution of 1917 is considered the legal triumph of the Mexican Revolution and the first such document in the world to set out social rights. It served as a model for the Weimar Constitution of 1919 and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Constitution of 1918. The document contains 137 articles, which are divided into ten thematic titles. These articles define citizenship, organise a government, mandate land reform, and enumerate basic human rights for all Mexicans.
Some of the most important provisions are Articles 3, 27, and 123. Article 3, as originally enacted in 1917, was anticlerical and restricted the role of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico, as well as other organised churches. It established free, obligatory, and secular public education, free from clerical supervision, and secularised the Mexican state. Article 27 mandated that lands taken from the peasantry during the Porfiriato had to be returned, even if they did not have written titles. It also permitted the privatisation and sale of ejidal land, and outlined alternative land reform and agrarian programs. Article 123, often regarded as the Magna Carta of labour and social welfare, established an 8-hour workday, a 6-day workweek, a minimum wage, and equal pay for equal work. It also gave both labour and capital the right to organise, and workers gained the right to bargain collectively and strike.
The Constitution of 1917 also included significant social reforms to labour laws and provided for equality in treatment without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, social or political condition, among other reforms. It forbade foreigners from owning land within 100 km of a national border or 50 km of the sea. It also abolished slavery and distinction by castes, resulting in equal citizenship.
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It was signed on 5 February 1917
The current Constitution of Mexico, officially known as the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, was signed on 5 February 1917, during a pivotal moment in the country's history. This date marked the culmination of a protracted and arduous constitutional assembly that commenced on 1 December 1916 and endured for two months. The signing of the document took place in the city of Querétaro, which served as the temporary capital of Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.
The year 1917 was a significant choice, as it symbolically united the document with the ongoing revolution and the ideals it espoused. The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, was a protracted and intricate social and cultural upheaval that sought to address long-standing issues of social inequality, land distribution, and political oppression. By 1917, the revolution was well underway, and the new constitution was intended to embody the aspirations and goals of this transformative period.
The Constitutional Congress of Querétaro, tasked with drafting the new constitution, was composed of individuals representing various revolutionary factions. This assembly included prominent figures such as Venustiano Carranza, who served as the president of the congress and would later become the first president of Mexico under the new constitution. The congress was marked by intense debates and negotiations as delegates sought to reconcile their differing political and ideological perspectives.
The resulting constitution was a comprehensive document encompassing a wide range of topics and addressing the social, political, and economic realities of Mexico at the time. It enshrined fundamental rights and liberties, outlined the structure and functions of the government, and incorporated provisions aimed at addressing the specific issues that had fueled the revolution. These included articles related to land reform, labor rights, and the protection of indigenous communities.
The signing of the 1917 Constitution marked a pivotal moment in Mexico's history, establishing a framework for governance that reflected the aspirations of the revolution and the country's unique social and cultural context. It has endured as the supreme law of the land, undergoing amendments and interpretations over the years to adapt to changing circumstances while retaining its core principles and values.
The legacy of the 1917 Constitution extends beyond its legal significance. It has become a symbol of Mexico's revolutionary past and a source of national identity and pride. Its signing represents a defining moment in the country's history, reflecting the aspirations and struggles of a nation in transition and serving as a testament to the enduring pursuit of justice, equality, and self-determination.
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It is the successor to the Constitution of 1857
The current constitution of Mexico, officially the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, was signed on 5 February 1917, and it is the country's supreme law. It is the successor to the Constitution of 1857, which had been in force for almost six decades. The 1917 Constitution was the product of the Mexican Revolution, a protracted and often violent struggle that began in 1910 and significantly transformed the country's political, economic, and social landscape. The new Constitution aimed to address the profound inequalities and lack of democratic representation that had characterized Mexico during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Constitution of 1917 incorporated significant changes and reforms that reflected the ideals and aspirations of the revolutionary movement. One of its most important aspects was its emphasis on social justice and economic equality. It enshrined a range of social rights, including provisions for labour rights, agrarian reform, and the protection of indigenous communities. The Constitution also established a more robust framework for democratic governance, seeking to limit the power of the executive branch and strengthen the legislative and judicial branches.
In terms of specific provisions, the 1917 Constitution included groundbreaking articles that have had a lasting impact on Mexico's development. For example, Article 3 guaranteed the right to education, establishing secular, free, and compulsory primary education. This article has been instrumental in expanding access to education and promoting social mobility. Similarly, Article 27, which addressed land reform, allowed for the expropriation of private property for public use and the redistribution of land to peasants, marking a significant shift in land ownership patterns.
The Constitution also made significant changes to the political system. It established a presidential system with a directly elected president and a unicameral legislature, the Chamber of Deputies. It also introduced a strong federal system, granting significant autonomy to Mexico's states while still maintaining a centralized national government. The Constitution's influence extended beyond Mexico, as it served as a model for other Latin American countries undergoing their constitutional processes and social transformations.
As the successor to the 1857 Constitution, the 1917 document built upon and revised key aspects of its predecessor. While the 1857 Constitution had established a federal republic and enshrined certain civil liberties, it had failed to address the deep social and economic inequalities that characterized Mexican society. The 1917 Constitution sought to rectify this by incorporating a more comprehensive set of social rights and providing a framework for a more inclusive and equitable society.
The Constitution of 1917 remains in force today, although it has been amended numerous times to adapt to changing social, political, and economic realities. However, its core principles and values continue to guide Mexico's legal system and governance. As one of the world's most enduring constitutions, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of the Mexican Revolution and the country's commitment to democracy, social justice, and the rule of law.
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The Constitution of 1917 is the legal triumph of the Mexican Revolution
The current Mexican Constitution, formally the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917. It is the successor to the Constitution of 1857 and earlier constitutions. The Constitution of 1917 is considered the legal triumph of the Mexican Revolution, incorporating the aspirations of the groups involved in the revolution.
The Constitution of 1917, still in force almost 100 years later, has 137 articles. These articles define citizenship, organise a government, mandate land reform, and enumerate basic human rights for all Mexicans. The document is divided into ten thematic titles, listing human rights, defining national citizenship, outlining associated rights, and specifying freedoms of foreigners residing in the country. It establishes the government, public service, and social welfare, and designates Mexico City as the capital, with the Federal District a separate entity, apart from state jurisdiction.
The Constitution of 1917 is the first such document in the world to set out social rights, serving as a model for the Weimar Constitution of 1919 and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Constitution of 1918. The most important provisions are Articles 3, 27, and 123, adopted in response to the armed insurrection of popular classes during the Mexican Revolution. Article 3 established free, obligatory, and secular public education, free from clerical supervision, and secularised the Mexican state. It also insisted on the complete separation of Church and State. Article 27 mandated that lands taken from the peasantry during the Porfiriato had to be returned, even if they did not have written titles. It also forbade foreigners from owning land within 100 km of a national border or 50 km of the sea. Article 123, often referred to as the Magna Carta of labour and social welfare, established an 8-hour workday, a 6-day workweek, a minimum wage, and equal pay for equal work. It gave both labour and capital the right to organise, and workers could bargain collectively and strike.
The Constitution of 1917 also included anticlerical articles, restricting the role of the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico, as well as other organised churches. These restrictions were included in part due to a desire by anticlerical framers to punish the Mexican Church's hierarchy for its support of Victoriano Huerta. However, the enforcement of these anticlerical articles was inconsistent, and they were removed in the reforms of 1992.
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It has been amended several times, most recently in 2015
The current Mexican Constitution, formally the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917. It has since been amended several times, most recently in 2015.
The 2015 amendments introduced several changes. Firstly, they emphasised the indivisibility of the Mexican nation, acknowledging its multicultural nature and the rights of indigenous peoples. The amendments defined an indigenous community as one that constitutes a cultural, economic, and social unit settled in a territory, recognising its own authorities according to their customs. The rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination were to be guaranteed by the Constitution, ensuring national unity.
Secondly, the amendments addressed human rights and their protection. They affirmed that all individuals in the United Mexican States are entitled to the human rights granted by the Constitution, international treaties signed by the Mexican State, and the guarantees for the protection of these rights. The amendments specified that human rights could not be restricted or suspended, except in cases established by the Constitution itself. They also outlined the interpretation of human rights provisions, stating that they should be interpreted according to the Constitution and relevant international treaties, always working towards broader protection for people.
Additionally, the 2015 amendments included provisions regarding international treaties and extradition. They stated that the United Mexican States would not allow extradition based on international treaties if the person to be extradited was politically persecuted or accused of an ordinary crime while having the status of a slave in the country where the crime was committed.
Furthermore, the amendments addressed the right to privacy, stating that no person shall be disturbed in their private affairs, family matters, papers, properties, or invaded at home without a written order from a competent authority, with a valid legal cause. They also included provisions for personal data protection, granting individuals the right to access, correct, and cancel their personal data, as well as oppose its disclosure according to the law.
These amendments demonstrate Mexico's ongoing commitment to strengthening human rights, protecting indigenous communities, and ensuring privacy and data protection for its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The current constitution of Mexico is formally the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States.
The current Mexican constitution was approved by the Constituent Congress on 5 February 1917.
The Mexican constitution of 1917 has 137 articles that define citizenship, organise a government, mandate land reform, and list basic human rights for all Mexicans. It also insists on the complete separation of Church and State.
The 1917 constitution is the first document in the world to set out social rights. It also served as a model for the Weimar Constitution of 1919 and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Constitution of 1918.
Yes, the Mexican constitution has been amended several times. For example, in 1946, socialist education was removed, and in 1992, significant revisions were made to modify Article 27 and repeal articles restricting the Roman Catholic Church. More recently, in 2005, Articles 14 and 22 were amended to ban the use of capital punishment.
