The Early Mexican Republic - Constitution of 1824

The Early Mexican Republic - Constitution of 1824

• A military junta, composed of Nicolas Bravo, Guadalupe Victoria, and Pedro Celestino Negrete, provisionally governed Mexico following the collapse of the empire.
• Elections were held to select delegates to a constitutional congress, charged with creating a new constitution.
• The congress met on November 27, 1823, and debated between a federalist (more state autonomy) and centralist (stronger central government) system.
• Centralists drew support from clergy, landowners, and army officers.
• Federalists attracted support from liberals and those drawing from the French and American revolutions, promoting a secular state and equality before the law. Key spokespeople included Miguel Ramos Arizpe and Valentín Gómez Farias.
• Fray Servando Teresa de Mier and Carlos María de Bustamante championed the centralist cause.
• Arizpe presented a working paper modeled after the US Constitution.
• Mier argued against a federal system, believing it would weaken Mexico.
• The 1824 constitution established a federal republic with 19 states and 4 territories.
• The legislature was bicameral (Senate and Chamber of Deputies). Representation was based on population size of each state (2 senators per state and 1 deputy for every 80,000 inhabitants)
• States were granted more power compared to the US model, with the president and vice-president elected by state legislatures.

The Victoria Presidency

• Guadalupe Victoria and Nicolás Bravo were elected president and vice-president respectively.
• Victoria was an honest and unassuming leader.
• He tried to be impartial and inclusive, but faced difficulties in managing complex political issues and pressures.
• The political atmosphere was characterized by intense political rivalries, ideological divides, and mistrust.
• The political factions identified with different Masonic lodges (York Rite and Scottish Rite).
• The debate over the type of political system and the best approach towards economic, governmental and political stability continued fiercely.
• The Mexican congress executed the former emperor Iturbide after he returned to Mexico, despite his declaring his loyalty to the republics.

Domestic Turmoil and a Spanish Invasion

• The election of 1828 saw Vicente Guerrero (liberal faction) and Manuel Gómez Pedraza (conservative) contend as candidates.
• Differences in political views resulted in widespread accusations and charges.
• Antonio López de Santa Anna emerged as a key figure during the turbulence.
• Following concerns expressed by both liberal and conservative factions, the Spanish attempted to re-conquer Mexico
• The Spanish attempt failed to materialize.

Federalist-Centralist Struggle Continues

• After the Spanish threat, the internal conflict between federalists and centralists resumed.
• President Guerrero refused to relinquish extraordinary powers, leading to a conservative, vice presidential revolt led by Bustamante.
• Guerrero was executed in 1831.
• The execution had a profound negative effect on Mexico's transition to self-governance.
• The conflict continued despite efforts by various leaders