Constitution of Apatzingan
Encyclopedia
The Constitution of Apatzingan (formally: Constitutional Decree for the Liberty of Mexican America), was promulgated on October 22, 1814, by the Congress of Anahuac gathered in the city of Apatzingan
because of the persecution of the troops of Felix Maria Calleja. The Constitution was valid for insurgent forces in the territories it gained control during the Mexican War of Independence
.
from Acapulco
made a call to create a Congress in September in the city of Chilpancingo
(now in the state of Guerrero
), whose purpose was to create an independent government. Proclaimed as Supreme National Congress, was installed on September 14, 1813; that same day Morelos announced to the Assembly a program called Sentimientos de la Nación
, in which was declared the independence of the Mexican America and establish a government of popular representation with division of powers, forbade slavery and the division of population into castes. On 6 November, same year, the Congress signed the first official document of independence, known as the Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America
.
The Supreme Government, (Executive), was composed of three persons, they would have equal authority and responsibility; same as the government would exercise as an alternative every four months. Their most direct authority, in addition to the executive and administrative nature, were to ensure the protection of the rights of citizens: liberty, property, equality and security. The Supreme Government would be exercised by José María Cos, Jose Maria Liceaga and José María Morelos
.
The Constitution of Apatzingan never really entered into force. Almost a year after it was enacted, his inspiring, José María Morelos y Pavón was imprisoned and was shot on December 22, 1815. So temporary, the royalist troops returned to take control of most of the country, but ultimately could not prevent the Mexican America independence were to be consummated, first as the Mexican Empire
that later became the United Mexican States.
Apatzingán
Apatzingán is a city and its surrounding municipality. It's located in the hot Tierra Caliente valley, in the west-central part of the Mexican state of Michoacán. The city is the fourth-largest in Michoacán , with a 2005 census population of 93,180 persons...
because of the persecution of the troops of Felix Maria Calleja. The Constitution was valid for insurgent forces in the territories it gained control during the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
.
Background
After the death of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, on June 28, 1813, Jose Maria MorelosJosé María Morelos
José María Teclo Morelos y Pavón was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader who led the Mexican War of Independence movement, assuming its leadership after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1811...
from Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
made a call to create a Congress in September in the city of Chilpancingo
Chilpancingo
Chilpancingo de los Bravo is the capital and second-largest city of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It is located at . In the 2005 census the population of the city was 166,796. Its surrounding municipality, of which it is municipal seat, had a population of 214,219 persons...
(now in the state of Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
), whose purpose was to create an independent government. Proclaimed as Supreme National Congress, was installed on September 14, 1813; that same day Morelos announced to the Assembly a program called Sentimientos de la Nación
Sentimientos de la Nación
Sentimientos de la Nación was a document presented by José María Morelos y Pavón, leader of the insurgents in the Mexican War of Independence, to the National Constituent Congress in Chilpancingo on 14 September 1813.The document set out, in 23 points, Morelos's vision of the future...
, in which was declared the independence of the Mexican America and establish a government of popular representation with division of powers, forbade slavery and the division of population into castes. On 6 November, same year, the Congress signed the first official document of independence, known as the Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America
Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America
The Solemn Act of Northern America's Declaration of Independence is the first Mexican legal historical document which established the separation of Mexico from Spanish rule...
.
Content
Constitution of Apatzingan was composed of 2 titles and 242 articles, was based on the same principles that the Constitution of Cadiz but in a modified form, as opposed to the Spanish constitution, provided the establishment of the republican system of government. The most relevant articles were:- 1. The Catholic, apostolic and Roman religion, is the only to be profess by the State
- 2. The power to make laws and establish the form of government that best serves the interests of society, is the sovereignty.
- 5. Therefore, the sovereignty resides originally in the people, and its exercise in the national representation composed of deputies elected by the citizens in the form prescribed by the constitution.
- 12. These three powers, legislative, executive and judicial, must not be exercised not by one person, or by a single corporation.
- 13. Are deemed citizens of this America all born here.
- 19. The law must be equal for all...
- 30. Every citizen is deemed innocent until declared guilty.
- 42. (The provinces of the Mexican America): Mexico, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Oaxaca, Técpam, Michoacan, Queretaro, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Potosí, Zacatecas, Durango, Sonora, Coahuila and Nuevo Reino de Leon.
The Supreme Government, (Executive), was composed of three persons, they would have equal authority and responsibility; same as the government would exercise as an alternative every four months. Their most direct authority, in addition to the executive and administrative nature, were to ensure the protection of the rights of citizens: liberty, property, equality and security. The Supreme Government would be exercised by José María Cos, Jose Maria Liceaga and José María Morelos
José María Morelos
José María Teclo Morelos y Pavón was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader who led the Mexican War of Independence movement, assuming its leadership after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1811...
.
The Constitution of Apatzingan never really entered into force. Almost a year after it was enacted, his inspiring, José María Morelos y Pavón was imprisoned and was shot on December 22, 1815. So temporary, the royalist troops returned to take control of most of the country, but ultimately could not prevent the Mexican America independence were to be consummated, first as the Mexican Empire
First Mexican Empire
The Mexican Empire was the official name of independent Mexico under a monarchical regime from 1821 to 1823. The territory of the Mexican Empire included the continental intendencies and provinces of New Spain proper...
that later became the United Mexican States.
See also
- Congress of ChilpancingoCongress of ChilpancingoThe Congress of Chilpancingo was a meeting held in Chilpancingo, in what is the modern-day Mexican state of Guerrero, from September to November 1813. The result of this meeting was that Mexico formally declared itself to be independent of Spain and what was later to become the first national...
- Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern AmericaSolemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern AmericaThe Solemn Act of Northern America's Declaration of Independence is the first Mexican legal historical document which established the separation of Mexico from Spanish rule...
- Constitutions of MexicoConstitutions of MexicoSince declaring independence in 1810, Mexico has adopted a number of constitutions or other documents of basic law with constitutional effects. Not all these can be considered constitutions, and not all of them enjoyed universal application...
- Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 18241824 Constitution of MexicoThe Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 was enacted on October 4 of 1824, after the overthrow of the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide. In the new constitution, the republic took the name of United Mexican States, and was defined as a representative federal republic, with...
- Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857
- Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 (currently in force)
- Mexican War of IndependenceMexican War of IndependenceThe Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
- Jose Maria MorelosJosé María MorelosJosé María Teclo Morelos y Pavón was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and revolutionary rebel leader who led the Mexican War of Independence movement, assuming its leadership after the execution of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in 1811...
- Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla