
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, also known as the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, was the first constitution of Mexico. It was enacted on October 4, 1824, and established the First Mexican Republic. The constitution was drafted following the demise of the short-lived monarchy of Agustin I and the Mexican War of Independence, which wrested control from Spain. It was modelled on the Spanish Constitution of 1812, with some similarities to the US Constitution of 1787. The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was significant in shaping the country's political system and played a key role in the country's history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Drafted | 1824 |
| Influenced By | Spanish Constitution of 1812 |
| Federal or Unitary | Federal |
| Rights and Liberties | Guaranteed individual rights and liberties, including freedom of speech, press, and religion. |
| Separation of Powers | Established a system of separation of powers with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. |
| Territory | Defined the territory of Mexico, including the recently gained independence regions of Central America. |
| Catholic Religion | Recognized Catholicism as the official and exclusive religion of Mexico. |
| Electoral System | Established a indirect electoral system for choosing the legislature and president. |
| State Powers | Granted significant powers to the states, including the ability to make their own laws and elect their own officials. |
| Amendments | Could be amended by a two-thirds vote of a Constituent Congress, convened for that purpose. |
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What You'll Learn

The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was enacted on October 4, 1824
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, enacted on October 4, 1824, was the country's first constitution. It was enacted following the demise of the short-lived monarchy of Agustin I, the first independent post-colonial state in Mexico after the Mexican War of Independence wrested control from Spain. The constitution was drafted without foreign influence, as Mexico had already developed a strong national identity. The document was based on shared Hispanic political theory and practice, including the Spanish Constitution of 1812, which was well-known to Mexicans, who had played a significant role in shaping it.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 established a federal representative republic with a single executive branch composed of a president and a vice president. The office of the president was created, but it was subordinate to the legislature, reflecting Mexicans' preference for legislative supremacy. The constitution also made Congress the final interpreter of the document and established the Catholic religion as the state faith, supported by the public treasury.
The drafting of the constitution was influenced by a series of rapid political changes that had occurred since Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 1808. These changes had politicized the majority of the Mexican population and led to a vibrant political discourse. In the years leading up to 1824, seven proposals for a Mexican constitution had been debated throughout the country. The final draft of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 was completed in just a few days by a committee of seven members, including Miguel Ramos Arizpe and Juan de Dios Cañedo.
The enactment of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 on October 4, 1824, inaugurated the First Mexican Republic. It was a significant step in Mexico's post-independence nation-building process, providing a framework for the country's governance and reflecting the aspirations of its people. The constitution underwent subsequent amendments and revisions, including the Reform Act of 1847, which incorporated changes to the Federal Constitution of 1824.
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It was the first constitution of Mexico
The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, also known as the Mexican Constitution of 1824, was the first constitution of Mexico. It was enacted on October 4, 1824, and marked the inauguration of the First Mexican Republic. This constitution came about after the abdication of Agustin I, which ended the First Mexican Empire and led to the establishment of a Representative Federal Republic. The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was drafted by a committee that included Miguel Ramos Arizpe, Juan de Dios Cañedo, Miguel Argüelles, Rafael Mangino, Tomás Vargas, José de Jesús Huerta, and Manuel Crescencio Rejón. They submitted the Acta Constitutiva (the draft of the constitution) on November 20, and completed the charter in just a few days.
The constitution was modelled on the Spanish Constitution of 1812, also known as the Hispanic Constitution of 1812. It was also influenced by the US Constitution of 1787, although this influence was more superficial, with the Mexican document primarily based on Hispanic constitutional and legal precedents. For example, while the Constitution of 1824 created a presidency, this office was subordinate to the legislature, reflecting Mexico's confederalist nature. The Mexican Constitution of 1824 also established Congress as the final interpreter of the document, with the power to amend being restricted for a period of six years.
The Constitution of 1824 was significant in that it recognised Catholicism as the state religion, with the church being supported by the public treasury. It also outlined the roles and responsibilities of the president and vice president, who were elected for four-year terms by the legislative bodies of the states. The Congress was composed of two houses that met annually from January 1 to April 15, with the president having the power to prolong or 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 Mexican Constitution of 1824 played an important role in shaping the country's political system and establishing the rights and responsibilities of its government and citizens. It reflected the country's relatively cohesive national identity and served as a foundation for future constitutional developments in Mexico.
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It was drafted by a committee of seven
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, officially known as the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, was drafted by a committee of seven. This committee consisted of Miguel Ramos Arizpe, Juan de Dios Cañedo, Miguel Argüelles, Rafael Mangino, Tomás Vargas, José de Jesús Huerta, and Manuel Crescencio Rejón. Working together, this group completed the draft in just a few days, which may seem swift but becomes more understandable when considering the broader context.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was the country's first constitution, coming after the demise of the short-lived monarchy of Agustin I and the country's independence from Spain. It was enacted on October 4, 1824, and inaugurated the First Mexican Republic. The relative speed with which the committee drafted the constitution can be attributed to the document being based on shared Hispanic political theory and practice that Mexicans knew well and had played a role in shaping. The Constitution of 1812 and its institutions of government were already familiar to Mexicans, and seven proposals for a Mexican constitution had been debated throughout the country in the preceding months.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 established a system with a president and a vice president, although the office of the president was subordinate to the legislature. This reflected the preference among Mexicans for legislative supremacy. The constitution was also influenced by the US Constitution of 1787, although it more closely resembled the Spanish Constitution of 1812. The Mexican document adopted some practical applications from the US Constitution, but it was primarily based on Hispanic constitutional and legal precedents.
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It was modelled on the Spanish Constitution of 1812
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was the first constitution of Mexico, enacted on 4 October 1824, and it inaugurated the First Mexican Republic. This constitution was drafted after Mexico gained independence from Spain and the demise of the short-lived monarchy of Agustin I. It was modelled on the Spanish Constitution of 1812, also known as the Hispanic Constitution of 1812 or the Directioners Constitution of 1812.
The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was promulgated during the insurgency led by José María Morelos. It established a system of 'provincial deputations', which granted more autonomy to local governments in the colonies while also providing freedom of speech. The newly liberated Mexican press, however, inflamed anti-Spanish sentiment, and the same year it was proclaimed, the constitution was suspended in New Spain.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was based on Hispanic constitutional and legal precedents. It was not modelled on the US Constitution of 1787, although it did adopt some practical applications from it, such as the executive. The Mexican document differed from the 1812 document in that it gave the states significant taxing power and did not address some issues included in the earlier document. This was because the new Mexican federation shared sovereignty between the national government and the states.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 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. It did not expressly state the rights of citizens, and the right to equality of citizens was restricted by the continuation of military and ecclesiastical courts. The most relevant articles were:
- The Mexican nation is sovereign and free from the Spanish government and any other nation.
- The religion of the nation is the Roman Catholic Church, which is protected by law, and prohibits any other.
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It was restored by interim President José Mariano Salas in 1846
The Constitution of 1824 was enacted on 4 October 1824, inaugurating the First Mexican Republic. It was the first constitution of Mexico, modelled on the Spanish Constitution of 1812.
José Mariano Salas Barbosa, a Mexican soldier and politician, served twice as interim president of Mexico. His first presidency occurred in 1846 during the Mexican-American War. He served as interim president for Santa Anna, after the overthrow of Mariano Paredes, while Santa Anna returned from exile.
Salas energetically passed measures to unite the country and promote the war effort. He also restored the Constitution of 1824 on 22 August 1846, ending the Centralist Republic of Mexico which had been in effect since 1835. He prohibited political controversies in the official state newspaper and permitted Valentin Canalizo, who had been banished with Santa Anna, to return to the country and offer his services for the war effort.
Salas formed his cabinet out of liberals and Santa Anna supporters, including ex-president Valentin Gomez Farias, who became finance minister. Before accepting their posts, the ministers presented a plan for suppressing interior tolls, reforming autocratic laws, and promoting European immigration. This was all based on the continuation of the war, supported by the union of the military and the people.
Salas also worked hard to enlarge the militia and raise money for the upcoming Mexican-American War. He handed over power to Santa Anna in 1846.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was drafted in 1824.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was based on the Spanish Constitution of 1812, also known as the Hispanic Constitution of 1812. It was also influenced by the US Constitution of 1787, although to a lesser extent.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was drafted by a committee consisting of Miguel Ramos Arizpe, Juan de Dios Cañedo, Miguel Argüelles, Rafael Mangino, Tomás Vargas, José de Jesús Huerta, and Manuel Crescencio Rejón.
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 established a federal republic with a president and vice president, although legislative supremacy was maintained. It also made Catholicism the state religion and provided for freedom of speech.










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