REPUBLICAN NATION PROJECT: CONTEXT AND ACTORS - HISTORY - 2025

The Republican Nation Project in Mexico arises after attempts were made in this region to develop monarchical and imperial projects during the 19th century, after the independence of the Spanish Empire. Mexico went through a first monarchical government system under Agustín de Iturbide in 1822.

This government only lasted 10 months. In view of the great discontent generated by Iturbide's management in power, armed rebel groups decided to confront and overthrow the monarchical government. They took Veracruz commanded by Antonio López de Santa Anna, who allied himself with Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria.

These condemned the monarchy influenced by the Spanish Empire to establish new policies in the nation. The rebellion culminated in the signing of the Casa Mata plan, which expressed the republican needs and ideas while facing the arbitrariness and censorship of the previous government.

Iturbide was condemned to exile, with the promise of execution if he returned to Mexican lands, a fact that occurred in 1824. With the conservatives out of power, the republican nation project sought to strengthen and enhance the country's politics and economy.

Implications of the Republican Project

The main thing during this newborn republican project was to form a new Congress. It had previously been dissolved by Iturbide because of his fear of opposition from the Liberals.

The monarchy failed and, consequently, Mexico experienced for the first time the opportunity to organize itself on terms outside the power of the Spanish Crown.

This is how the conditions of the Republican Project were expressed in the Constitution of 1824. It was the most important transition period in the history of Mexico, since it was considered an independent and federal nation for the first time.

Social context

It was necessary to separate the Church from the State, although the Catholic religion would be considered the only one.

In addition, it sought to promote social equality and civil rights. The sovereignty of the internal affairs of each state would be respected and they would enjoy freedom of the press.

Political context

The Republican Project defended freedom of expression, equality and justice. Furthermore, the powers were organized as follows:

Legislative power

It was made up of senators and deputies who were in charge of supervising presidential actions and had the power to apply sanctions.

Executive power

He was in charge of administrative actions and law enforcement. It was made up of a president and a vice president.

Power of attorney

It worked independently of the previous ones and was constituted by the courts and the Supreme Court of Justice.

Economic context

Boosting the economy was an important factor for this project. They planned to increase relations with other countries and strengthen the internal market, production and exports.

Although the projects and aspirations of this plan were great, the economic crisis was acute and the political organization was governed by the North American model, and for the centralists this was not an option.

Mexico was again divided between those who aspired to a Federal Republic and those who opted for a Central Republic.

Centralism vs. federalism

Centralism would administer the power and political affairs of the country from the same body; that is, the State would represent the absolute authority.

On the other hand, federalism promoted the organization of several provinces or states that would respond to the State as a general figure, but keeping their own laws and conditions.

Main actors and beneficiaries

Guadalupe Victoria

In 1824 Guadalupe Victoria assumed the presidency of Mexico, being the first to hold that position. Mexico had become a Federal Republic; however, the centralist conservatives insisted on confrontations to change the government system.

The federals, made up of liberal groups, indigenous people and people from lower classes, defended that the states could enjoy autonomy.

Guadalupe Victoria remained firm in her ideas of maintaining Mexico as an independent territory from foreign power. His government ended in 1829, but he continued to make a presence in politics for several more years.

In 1829 Vicente Ramón Guerrero Saldaña assumed the presidency, who had fought since the wars of independence.

Vicente Guerrero

Vicente Guerrero was appointed President of Mexico after the annulment of the result that gave the position to Gómez Pedraza; in this case influences on the elections were suspected.

The vice-presidency was in charge of Anastasio Bustamante, who in 1830 assassinated Guerrero, ignoring his mandate and assuming power until 1832. Bustamante ruled under centralism.

Lopez de Santa Anna

The years after Guerrero's death were packed with rebellions and armed struggles. In 1833 López de Santa Anna was chosen as president and Valentín Gómez Farías as vice president.

In the year 1835, the Constitution of 1824 was relegated and was replaced by the seven centralist laws, which limited some citizen and state freedoms.

A new power was also formed: the Conservative Supreme Power, which had the power to annul or change laws, and to incapacitate the president and the Supreme Court of Justice.

The government of Santa Anna resulted in several uprisings. Texas claimed its independence and Santa Anna was forced to sign it in 1836, as he was defeated at Fort Alamo. When he returned to Mexico City, he was removed from office.

Presidential shifts

Thus, between centralists and federalists, the governments took turns and the presidential figures lasted a short time in power. The efforts were not carried out in a timely manner for the significant benefit of the nation.

In 1841, while Bustamante was in power, he was surprised by Santa Anna with a coup d'état and the latter proclaimed himself President of the Republic. This time he had more dictatorial ideas, jailing opponents of his government and raising taxes.

In 1845 he was defeated by a coup d'état, but he would repeat again in the presidency like other figures, whose terms were also very short.

Benito Juarez

In 1857, after several rulers came to power, Benito Juárez assumed the presidency. With his government the War of the Reform began, Juárez was the winner.

However, the country was devastated. To restore the economy, he decided to suspend the payment of the foreign debt, which was an opportunity for foreign intervention. As a result, Maximilian of Habsburg took power as the Second Emperor of Mexico.

References

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2. Federalism and centralism, (nd). CCH academic portal. Recovered from: portalacademico.cch.unam.mx
3. González, A. (sf) Antonio López de Santa Anna. Universal history. Recovered from: historiacultural.com
4. Guerrero, Vicente. (sf) Genealogy of Mexico. Recovered from: genealogia.org.mx
5. Juárez, Benito, (nd). Mexico history. Recovered from: lahistoriamexicana.mx
6. National, Monarchical, Imperial and Republican Projects, (nd). Muyeducativo.com Recovered from: muyeducativo.com
7. Reyes, A. (2011). 1833 - Santa Anna assumes the presidency in Mexico for the first time. Political Image of Mexico and the World. Recovered from: imagenpoliticadotcom.wordpress.com