The difficulties that Mexico had to establish itself as an independent nation were caused by the interference of foreign powers, the lack of agreement to create the form of government and the economic problems that it suffered during its first years.
In addition, we must take into account the problems of trying to structure such an extensive and, sometimes, poorly communicated territory. Mexico is established as an independent country in September 1821 after 11 years of struggle, in the so-called War of Independence.
Throughout that period, Mexicans fought to free themselves from Spanish rule, ending the viceroyalty led from the metropolis.
Four main difficulties in consolidating independence
Although the war was won by supporters of independence, Mexico had to face serious problems in order to consolidate itself as an independent nation, beginning with the aftermath left by such a prolonged conflict.
one-
After declaring independence, the country's accounts were practically bankrupt. Keep in mind that the war had left the new state without half its workforce.
In addition, it already started with a public debt of 45 million and no short-term solutions were in sight.
There was no administrative structure that allowed the collection of taxes, and he encountered real problems when trying to collect them among the large landowners or among the clergy, who controlled a good part of the lands dedicated to agriculture.
Mexico had to industrialize at a forced pace, but it was not until the Porfiriato that the economy was able to regain some momentum, even at the cost of greatly increasing social inequalities.
two-
It wasn't just the economy that put the country in trouble. Mexico had to face the intervention of several foreign powers. The weakness of the nation made countries like France or Spain try to attack it.
In the case of Spain, it was an attempt to reconquer Mexico to return it to its kingdom. Thus, a powerful naval fleet reached the coast of Veracruz in 1829. However, the reaction of the Mexican army stopped this attempt.
France, for its part, attacked Mexico in 1838 for economic reasons. The so-called Cake War lasted until March 1839.
Finally, the threat of English intervention succeeded in making the European power suspend hostilities.
3-
Among the aggressions suffered by foreign nations, those of another North American country with a few years of independent history stand out: the United States.
President Monroe had declared that his country should be the hegemon on the continent. It was the so-called "Manifest Destiny" doctrine, with its "America for the Americans (those of the North)."
Then, attacks to conquer various parts of Mexico do not stop. Finally, in 1845 they managed to seize the territory of Texas and, years later, in 1848, Mexico had to cede to the northern giant no less than 2,263,866 km 2 corresponding to Texas, New Mexico and California.
4-
There were many internal disputes between the different currents that existed within the country's liberation struggle.
This makes the negotiations to create state structures quite arduous. Liberals, conservatives, monarchists and republicans try to impose their point of view.
From independence until 1854, Mexico went through a monarchy, a federal republic, and two different models of a centralist republic.
In addition, it suffered fifty military governments and promulgated three different constitutions.
References
- History Channel. Struggle for Mexican Independence. Retrieved from history.com
- Wikipedia. American intervention in Mexico. Obtained from es.wikipedia.org
- Ponzio, Carlos Alejandro. Looking at the Dark Side of Things:
Political Instability and Economic Growth in Post-Independence Mexico. (June 10, 2005). Recovered from insidemydesk.com
- Mexico history. Mexico's independence. Obtained from lahistoriamexicana.mx
- Dante. The Causes of Mexican Political Instability Following Independence. (September 23, 2004). Retrieved from ultius.com