Territorial evolution of Mexico
Encyclopedia
Mexico has experienced many changes in territorial organization during its history as an independent state, especially as the territorial boundaries of Mexico
were affected by presidential and imperial decrees. One such decree was the Law of Bases for the Convocation of the Constituent Congress to the Constitutive Act of the Mexican Federation, which determined the national land area as the result of integration of the jurisdictions that corresponded to New Spain
, the Captaincy General of Yucatán
, the Captaincy General of Guatemala
, and the autonomous Kingdoms of East and West. The decree resulted in the independence from Spain
.
During the consummation of the Independence of Mexico, part of the territorial organization of New Spain
was integrated into the new nation of the Mexican Empire
. Added to this were the Captaincy General of Yucatán
and the Captaincy General of Guatemala
(whose annexation was a strategy to counteract the Spanish crown). This yielded Mexico's largest land area as an independent nation.
, territorial and legal changes were made reaffirming the Catholic Church's status as the only religion for Mexicans. Also, the new nation developed a popular and representative federal republic that recognized the sovereignty of the States
constituting the federal union.
, influenced by the conservatives, ratified the Seven Laws
by presidential decree, establishing a new territorial court, replacing the federal states by departments whose governors and legislators would be selected by the President. This break from federalism brought Mexico
to the most turbulent and unstable era in its history.
During the Second Mexican Empire
, Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
made a new division of national territory.
The territorial divisions throughout the history of Mexico
have generally been linked to political change and programs aimed at improving the administrative, economic, and social development of the country. On 3 March 1865, one of the most important decrees of the government of Maximilian
, the first division of the territory of the new Empire, was issued; it was published in the Journal of the Empire
on 13 March of that year. The reorganization was accomplished by Manuel Orozco y Berra (1816–1881) and was made according to the following rules;
The development of this division was of great importance; because geographical features and projected future development were taken into account for the delimitation of the jurisdictions, local communication and business would be greatly improved.
The territorial division of the Second Mexican Empire
was used for a short period because of the Empire
was overthrown in early 1867 with the execution of Maximilian I of Mexico
. The Federal Republic
and its former division were restored in that year.
The Seven Constitutional Laws
were enacted on December 30, 1836. The sixth discussed the territorial configuration in its first and second articles.
Shortly thereafter the Eighth Organic Base, a separate body from the Seven Laws, was enacted. The first article stipulated that the country would be composed of many departments, corresponding to the previously existing states except that:
1. Coahuila and Texas were separated into two different departments.
2. The Colima Territory would be integrated into the Michoacan Department.
3. The Tlaxcala Territory
would be integrated into the Mexico Department.
4. The Federal Distict was eliminated.
According to the above, the new territorial division was composed of 24 departments. That territorial composition, initially temporary, was regarded as final until 30 June 1838, by law of that date.
This period created a great political instability that began in regional problems and conflicts between the center and the states of the country. Rebellions were raised in several places among which distinguished.
On August 22, 1846, due to the war with the United States, the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824
was restored. There remained the separation of Yucatan, but 2 years later Yucatan definitively rejoined Mexico.
In this precept, in the first and second articles, the Section of Internal Governance, the independence and sovereignty of states were abolished, although the name "states" was retained.
In the third article districts, cities or towns that had been separated from the states and divisions to which they belonged were returned to their original conditions. This excluded Aguascalientes, which continued to be considered a district of Zacatecas.
In a statement the Ministry of War, on September 21, 1853, it was decided that states would instead be called departments.
Changes in the territorial division, according to the code above, were:
1. Decree of May 29, 1853, establishing the Territory of Tehuantepec, its capital city at Minatitlan
.
2. Decree of October 16, 1853, establishing the Territory of the Isla del Carmen.
3. Decree of December 1, 1853, establishing the Territory of Sierra Gorda, its capital city at San Luis de la Paz
.
4. Decree of December 1, 1853, adding the district of Tuxpan to the Department of Veracruz.
5. Decree of December 10, 1853, redesignating the District of Aguascalientes
as a Department.
6. Decree of February 16, 1854, creating, despite the centralist system, a kind of Federal District.
7. Decree of July 20, 1854, approving the Treaty of Mesilla
, which amended the border with the United States of America through the loss of territory of Chihuahua and Sonora
.
was a political statement proclaimed on March 1, 1854 in Ayutla
, Guerrero
, intended to end the presidency of Antonio López de Santa Anna.
The plan was revised in Acapulco, 11 March 1854, in its second article respecting, in principle, the territorial division and just convened a representative from each Department and Territory.
The Provisional Organic Statute, known as Lafragua Code was promulgated on May 15, 1856 and provided the legal basis for governing the country in the interim between the Plan of Ayutla
and Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857. That document left open a later choice for federalism or centralism, but encouraged federalism because it called the entities that formed the Republic States. Thus, in its 2nd article, it retained the previous territorial division, determining the existence of 22 states, the District of the capital and 6 territories.
The Constitution of 1857 was a liberal constitution drafted during the presidency of Ignacio Comonfort
, who was sworn in on February 5, 1857. The Constitution contained the essence of that of 1824 (the federal character of the state and the democratic system of representative and republican government), but established freedom of religion, ending the domain of the Catholic Church as the sole and official religion of the country, and set out in Article 43 the parties making up the federation: 24 states, 1 federal territory and the Federal District known as the Valley of Mexico today Mexico City
. The territories of Sierra Gorda, Tehuantepec and Isla del Carmen and Nuevo Leon
as an independent state disappeared.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
were affected by presidential and imperial decrees. One such decree was the Law of Bases for the Convocation of the Constituent Congress to the Constitutive Act of the Mexican Federation, which determined the national land area as the result of integration of the jurisdictions that corresponded to New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
, the Captaincy General of Yucatán
Captaincy General of Yucatán
The Captaincy General of Yucatán was an administrative district of colonial Spain, created in 1617 to provide more autonomy for the Yucatán Peninsula, previously ruled directly by a simple governor under the jurisdiction of Audiencia of Mexico...
, the Captaincy General of Guatemala
Captaincy General of Guatemala
The Captaincy General of Guatemala , also known as the Kingdom of Guatemala , was an administrative division in Spanish America which covered much of Central America, including what are now the nations of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, and the Mexican state of Chiapas...
, and the autonomous Kingdoms of East and West. The decree resulted in the independence from Spain
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...
.
Subdivisions by intendancies
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
was integrated into the new nation of 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...
. Added to this were the Captaincy General of Yucatán
Captaincy General of Yucatán
The Captaincy General of Yucatán was an administrative district of colonial Spain, created in 1617 to provide more autonomy for the Yucatán Peninsula, previously ruled directly by a simple governor under the jurisdiction of Audiencia of Mexico...
and the Captaincy General of Guatemala
Captaincy General of Guatemala
The Captaincy General of Guatemala , also known as the Kingdom of Guatemala , was an administrative division in Spanish America which covered much of Central America, including what are now the nations of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, and the Mexican state of Chiapas...
(whose annexation was a strategy to counteract the Spanish crown). This yielded Mexico's largest land area as an independent nation.
Subdivisions by states and territories
During the structuring of the RepublicRepublic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
, territorial and legal changes were made reaffirming the Catholic Church's status as the only religion for Mexicans. Also, the new nation developed a popular and representative federal republic that recognized the sovereignty of the States
States of Mexico
The United Mexican States is a federal republic formed by 32 federal entities .According to the Constitution of 1917, the states of the federation are free and sovereign. Each state has their own congress and constitution, while the Federal District has only limited autonomy with a local Congress...
constituting the federal union.
Subdivisions by departments
The liberal government of Antonio López de Santa AnnaAntonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
, influenced by the conservatives, ratified the Seven Laws
Siete Leyes
The Siete Leyes were a series of constitutional instruments that fundamentally altered the organizational structure of the young first Mexican republic...
by presidential decree, establishing a new territorial court, replacing the federal states by departments whose governors and legislators would be selected by the President. This break from federalism brought Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to the most turbulent and unstable era in its history.
Subdivisions by imperial departments
Second Mexican Empire
The Second Mexican Empire was the name of Mexico under the regime established from 1864 to 1867. It was created by Napoleon III of France, who attempted to use the Mexican adventure to recapture some of the grandeur of earlier Napoleonic times...
, Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy...
made a new division of national territory.
The territorial divisions throughout the history of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
have generally been linked to political change and programs aimed at improving the administrative, economic, and social development of the country. On 3 March 1865, one of the most important decrees of the government of Maximilian
Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy...
, the first division of the territory of the new Empire, was issued; it was published in the Journal of the Empire
Empire
The term empire derives from the Latin imperium . Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
on 13 March of that year. The reorganization was accomplished by Manuel Orozco y Berra (1816–1881) and was made according to the following rules;
- 1.- The total land area of the countryCountryA country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
will be divided into at least fifty departments. - 2.- Whenever possible, natural boundaries will be used for the subdivision of the departments.
- 3.- The surface area of each department will take into account the terrain, weather, and all elements of production; so that, eventually, the departments will hold an equal number of inhabitants.
The development of this division was of great importance; because geographical features and projected future development were taken into account for the delimitation of the jurisdictions, local communication and business would be greatly improved.
The territorial division of the Second Mexican Empire
Second Mexican Empire
The Second Mexican Empire was the name of Mexico under the regime established from 1864 to 1867. It was created by Napoleon III of France, who attempted to use the Mexican adventure to recapture some of the grandeur of earlier Napoleonic times...
was used for a short period because of the Empire
Empire
The term empire derives from the Latin imperium . Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
was overthrown in early 1867 with the execution of Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy...
. The Federal Republic
Federal republic
A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. A federation is the central government. The states in a federation also maintain the federation...
and its former division were restored in that year.
| Clarifications |
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| Several of the former borders of the states and territories in northern Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... remain unclear. The northern border of Sonora Sonora Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo.... , for example, is described in various ways, either as the Gila River Gila River The Gila River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 650 miles long, in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.-Description:... or the Colorado River Colorado River The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states... . The list of acts is not affected by this confusion, but the associated maps can be, so one should consider the following uncertainties and omissions:
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1821-1824
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The territorial organization of the First 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... was the largest extension of Mexico as independent country: 4,925,283 km2. The 24 intendences of the Empire were:
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| Territorial organization under the interim government of Mexico after the establishment of the Republic on May 21, 1823, and before the decree of the Constitutive Act of the Mexican Federation on January 31, 1824; period between the end of the First Mexican Empire and the creation of the Federal Republic of the United Mexican States.
After the end of the empire, the Central American provinces Federal Republic of Central America The Federal Republic of Central America, known as the United Provinces of Central America in its first year of creation, was a sovereign state in Central America, which consisted of the territories of the former Captaincy General of Guatemala of New Spain... decided not to be part of Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... . Chiapas Chiapas Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las... (part of Guatemala Guatemala Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast... ) was not yet part of Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... , while the region of Soconusco Soconusco Soconusco is a region of the Mexican state of Chiapas, located in the extreme south of the state and separated from Guatemala by the Suchiate River. It is a region of rich lowlands and foothills. The economic center is Tapachula. Soconusco consists of 16 municipalities.The name comes from the... proclaimed its independence of Mexico on July 24 1824, and was formally annexed by the Federal Republic of Central America Federal Republic of Central America The Federal Republic of Central America, known as the United Provinces of Central America in its first year of creation, was a sovereign state in Central America, which consisted of the territories of the former Captaincy General of Guatemala of New Spain... on August 18, 1824. |
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1824-1857
| From the Constitution of 1824 to the Constitution of 1857 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Was enacted the Constitution of 1824 1824 Constitution of Mexico The 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... which officially established the United Mexican States. The constitution organized the country in 19 states and 4 territories.
The 19 founding states were:
The 4 federal territories were:
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| The Federal District Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... was established around the City of Mexico, separating it from State of Mexico.
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| It's created the Tlaxcala Territory Tlaxcala Territory Tlaxcala Territory was one of the territories of Mexico. It was created on 24 November 1824.... , with territory of Puebla. |
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center>It's created the state of:
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| It's created the Aguascalientes Territory, with territory of Zacatecas. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The region of Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... of the state of Coahuila y Texas declared its independence. The rest of the state was named Coahuila Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico... . The Treaties of Velasco Treaties of Velasco The Treaties of Velasco were two documents signed at Velasco, Texas, on May 14, 1836, between Antonio López de Santa Anna of Mexico and the Republic of Texas, in the aftermath of the Battle of San Jacinto .... ended the Texas Revolution Texas Revolution The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836... on May 14, 1836 with the creation of the independent Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... . |
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| Texas published a map claiming its border with Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... in the Rio Grande Rio Grande The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes... and not the Nueces River Nueces River The Nueces River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas, approximately long. It drains a region in central and southern Texas southeastward into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the southernmost major river in Texas northeast of the Rio Grande... , the Texas border since the Spanish colonial era.
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| The states of Coahuila Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico... , Nuevo León Nuevo León Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S... and Tamaulipas Tamaulipas Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the... declared their independence from Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... as the Republic of the Rio Grande Republic of the Rio Grande The Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation that insurgents against the Central Mexican Government sought to establish in northern Mexico. The rebellion lasted from January 17 to November 6, 1840 and the Republic of the Rio Grande was never officially recognized.- Background :After a... ; however, the border with Texas was never determined. The Republic claimed as its northern border the Nueces River Nueces River The Nueces River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas, approximately long. It drains a region in central and southern Texas southeastward into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the southernmost major river in Texas northeast of the Rio Grande... , Texas claimed as its southern border the Rio Grande Rio Grande The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes... . |
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| The Republic of the Rio Grande Republic of the Rio Grande The Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation that insurgents against the Central Mexican Government sought to establish in northern Mexico. The rebellion lasted from January 17 to November 6, 1840 and the Republic of the Rio Grande was never officially recognized.- Background :After a... returned to Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... after a brief and unsuccessful war for independence. Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico... kept a part of the territory of Chihuahua, largely uninhabited desert, taken by the Republic of the Rio Grande Republic of the Rio Grande The Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation that insurgents against the Central Mexican Government sought to establish in northern Mexico. The rebellion lasted from January 17 to November 6, 1840 and the Republic of the Rio Grande was never officially recognized.- Background :After a... . |
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| On February 12, 1840, Yucatán Yucatán Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida.... sent a report to the central government demanding for the restoration of federalism as form of government Form of government A form of government, or form of state governance, refers to the set of political institutions by which a government of a state is organized. Synonyms include "regime type" and "system of government".-Empirical and conceptual problems:... to combat poverty in the country. The act demanded the reestablishment of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 1824 Constitution of Mexico The 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... .
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| The district of Soconusco Soconusco Soconusco is a region of the Mexican state of Chiapas, located in the extreme south of the state and separated from Guatemala by the Suchiate River. It is a region of rich lowlands and foothills. The economic center is Tapachula. Soconusco consists of 16 municipalities.The name comes from the... rejoined Mexico as part of the state of Chiapas Chiapas Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las... . |
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| The United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... annexed the Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... , admitted as the state of Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... . However, Mexico doesn't accepted the annexation and the Texas border, which provoked the Mexican-American War. |
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| The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is the peace treaty, largely dictated by the United States to the interim government of a militarily occupied Mexico City, that ended the Mexican-American War on February 2, 1848... officially ended the war between Mexico and the U.S., forcing large territorial concessions by Mexico. All claims over Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... were abandoned, establishing the Rio Grande Rio Grande The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes... as the permanent border between the countries. That gave portions of the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico... and Tamaulipas Tamaulipas Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the... to the United States. In addition, the United States received what is now known as the Mexican Cession Mexican Cession The Mexican Cession of 1848 is a historical name in the United States for the region of the present day southwestern United States that Mexico ceded to the U.S... , equivalent to the territories of Alta California Alta California Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,... and Santa Fe de Nuevo México Santa Fe de Nuevo México Santa Fe de Nuevo México was a province of New Spain and later Mexico that existed from the late 16th century up through the mid-19th century. It was centered on the upper valley of the Rio Grande , in an area that included most of the present-day U.S. state of New Mexico... .
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| On August 22, 1846, the interim president José Mariano Salas re-enacted the Constitution of 1824 1824 Constitution of Mexico The 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... . 2 years later, during the government of José Joaquín de Herrera, Yucatan rejoined to Mexico. A decisive factor for the reinstatement was the Caste War, which forced Yucatán Yucatán Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida.... to seek outside help. |
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| On December 13, 1853, Antonio López de Santa Anna Antonio López de Santa Anna Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government... signed the Gadsden Purchase Gadsden Purchase The Gadsden Purchase is a region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that was purchased by the United States in a treaty signed by James Gadsden, the American ambassador to Mexico at the time, on December 30, 1853. It was then ratified, with changes, by the U.S... (known as Venta de la Mesilla in Mexico). He sold an area of 76,845 km² from the states of Sonora Sonora Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo.... and Chihuahua for $10 million to the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... . The treaty was signed by U.S. President Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army... on June 24, 1853, and was ratified by the United States Senate on April 25, 1854. |
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| After the United States Senate approved the Gadsden Purchase Gadsden Purchase The Gadsden Purchase is a region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that was purchased by the United States in a treaty signed by James Gadsden, the American ambassador to Mexico at the time, on December 30, 1853. It was then ratified, with changes, by the U.S... on April 25, 1854, the sale became official. Mexican people angered by the selling of its territory proclaimed the Plan of Ayutla Plan of Ayutla The Plan of Ayutla was a plan aimed at removing Antonio López de Santa Anna as dictator of Mexico. Initially drafted on February 24, 1854, by Colonel Florencio Villarreal, it was proclaimed on March 1, 1854, in Ayutla, Guerrero... , which finally ended the political career of Santa Anna. |
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1857-1917
| From the Constitution of 1857 to the Constitution of 1917 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Map | Date | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857 approved the reorganization of the national territory. Nuevo León Nuevo León Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S... merged with Coahuila Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico... adopting the name of the latter; also confirmed were the creation of a new state and the admission of 3 of the 4 territories as free states of the federation. Created as a state::
Admitted as states:
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| The district of Campeche was separated from the state of Yucatan Yucatán Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida.... , creating the territory of Campeche. |
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center>Admitted as a state:
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| President Benito Juárez Benito Juárez Benito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872... , at Saltillo Saltillo Saltillo is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. The city is located about 400 km south of the U.S. state of Texas, and 90 km west of Monterrey, Nuevo León.... , decreed the separation of Coahuila Coahuila Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico... and Nuevo Leon Nuevo León Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S... as 2 free and sovereign states, as they were before 1857. |
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| On October 3, 1863, conservative Mexicans and the Catholic Church, which were unhappy with the government of Benito Juárez Benito Juárez Benito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872... and the constitution of 1857, offered the crown of Mexico Imperial Crown of Mexico The Imperial Crown of Mexico was the crown created for the monarch of Mexico on two separate occasions. The crown of the First Mexican Empire, ruled by Agustin I of Mexico, can be seen in his many portraits , but its history is not entirely known.... to the Austrian archduke Maximilian of Habsburg Maximilian I of Mexico Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy... . On March 3, 1865, he decreed the first division of the territory of the new Empire, which was published in the Journal of the Empire on March 13 of that year. |
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| On June 19, 1867, after 4 years of a failed empire, Maximilian of Habsburg Maximilian I of Mexico Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy... was shot. On 15 July 1867, President Benito Juárez Benito Juárez Benito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872... entered the city of Mexico Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... , formally restoring the Federal Republic. |
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| By decree of President Benito Juárez Benito Juárez Benito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872... and with unanimous approval of Congress with parts of the State of Mexico. Created as a state:
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| By decree of President Benito Juárez Benito Juárez Benito Juárez born Benito Pablo Juárez García, was a Mexican lawyer and politician of Zapotec origin from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872... and with unanimous approval of Congress with parts of the State of Mexico. Created as a state:
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| By decree of President Manuel González the Territory of Tepic was created, separating from the state of Jalisco Jalisco Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states... . |
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| By decree of President Porfirio Díaz Porfirio Díaz José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was a Mexican-American War volunteer and French intervention hero, an accomplished general and the President of Mexico continuously from 1876 to 1911, with the exception of a brief term in 1876 when he left Juan N... the Territory of Quintana Roo was created, separating from the state of Yucatan Yucatán Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida.... . |
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center>The territory of Tepic was admitted as the state of:| Order |
Name |
Date of Admission |
Installation date of the Congress |
28 |
Nayarit Nayarit officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Nayarit is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 20 municipalities and its capital city is Tepic.It is located in Western Mexico... 26-01-1917 |
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1917-2011
| From the Constitution of 1917 to present | ||||||||||||||
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| Map | Date | Description | ||||||||||||
| As a result of the Mexican Revolution Mexican Revolution The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution... , the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 Constitution of Mexico The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States is the current constitution of Mexico. It was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro, in the State of Querétaro, by a constitutional convention, during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917... was enacted. The constitution ratified many social demands dating to the beginning of the Revolution and was the first constitution in history to include so-called social rights. The admission of the state of Nayarit Nayarit Nayarit officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Nayarit is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 20 municipalities and its capital city is Tepic.It is located in Western Mexico... to the federation was ratified. |
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| On December 30, 1930, Congress and local legislatures approved the amendments to the Constitution which created the North Territory of Baja California and the South Territory of Baja California, divided at the 28th parallel. They were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on February 7, 1931. | ||||||||||||||
| Victor Emmanuel III of Italy Victor Emmanuel III of Italy Victor Emmanuel III was a member of the House of Savoy and King of Italy . In addition, he claimed the crowns of Ethiopia and Albania and claimed the titles Emperor of Ethiopia and King of Albania , which were unrecognised by the Great Powers... handed down his verdict in favor of France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... for the possession of Clipperton Island Clipperton Island Clipperton Island is an uninhabited nine-square-kilometre coral atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean, southwest of Mexico and west of Central America, at... , also known as Isla de la Pasion, by which Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... lost the sovereignty of that atoll. |
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| President Pascual Ortiz Rubio Pascual Ortiz Rubio Pascual Ortiz Rubio was a Mexican politician. He was born in Morelia, Michoacán as the son of Pascual Ortiz de Ayala y Huerta and Lenor Rubio Cornelis... declared the annexation of the territory of Quintana Roo to the states of Yucatan Yucatán Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida.... and Campeche Campeche Campeche is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Located in Southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the states of Yucatán to the north east, Quintana Roo to the east, and Tabasco to the south west... giving as excuse that the Territory, not being economically self-sufficient, was a huge outflow for the federation. |
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| President Lázaro Cárdenas Lázaro Cárdenas Lázaro Cárdenas del Río was President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940.-Early life:Lázaro Cárdenas was born on May 21, 1895 in a lower-middle class family in the village of Jiquilpan, Michoacán. He supported his family from age 16 after the death of his father... issued a decree published in the Official Journal on January 16, 1935, by which the Federal Territory of Quintana Roo was reconstituted. |
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| President Miguel Alemán Valdés Miguel Alemán Valdés Miguel Alemán Valdés served as the President of Mexico from 1946 to 1952.-Life:Alemán was born in Sayula in the state of Veracruz as the son of General Miguel Alemán González and Tomasa Valdés Ledezma... announced on September 1, 1951 that the North Territory of Baja California, due to its population and its economic ability to survive, satisfied the conditions required by the Constitution to be admitted as a free and sovereign state . The North Territory of Baja California was admitted as the state of
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| President Luis Echeverria Alvarez sent to the Congress of Mexico Congress of Mexico The Congress of the Union is the legislative branch of the Mexican government... a bill for the Quintana Roo Territory Quintana Roo Territory Quintana Roo Territory was one of the territories of Mexico. It was created 24 November 1902 by decree of the President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz from land that had previously been part of the State of Yucatán after the a turning point of the Caste War of Yucatán. On 8 October 1974 the territory... and South Territory of Baja California to be elevated to the category of states. Following the approval of state legislatures, on October 8, 1974, the decree, giving Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... its current configuration, was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. The South Territory of Baja California and the Quintana Roo Territory were admitted as the states of:
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The Seven Constitutional Laws
By the law of October 3, 1835, the centralist system was introduced in the country. The entities that formed the Republic so lost their freedom, independence and sovereignty, being entirely subordinate to the central government.The Seven Constitutional Laws
Siete Leyes
The Siete Leyes were a series of constitutional instruments that fundamentally altered the organizational structure of the young first Mexican republic...
were enacted on December 30, 1836. The sixth discussed the territorial configuration in its first and second articles.
Shortly thereafter the Eighth Organic Base, a separate body from the Seven Laws, was enacted. The first article stipulated that the country would be composed of many departments, corresponding to the previously existing states except that:
1. Coahuila and Texas were separated into two different departments.
2. The Colima Territory would be integrated into the Michoacan Department.
3. The Tlaxcala Territory
Tlaxcala Territory
Tlaxcala Territory was one of the territories of Mexico. It was created on 24 November 1824....
would be integrated into the Mexico Department.
4. The Federal Distict was eliminated.
According to the above, the new territorial division was composed of 24 departments. That territorial composition, initially temporary, was regarded as final until 30 June 1838, by law of that date.
This period created a great political instability that began in regional problems and conflicts between the center and the states of the country. Rebellions were raised in several places among which distinguished.
- ZacatecasZacatecasZacatecas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Zacatecas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is Zacatecas....
was the first state to declare itself against centralism in the so-called 1835 Revolt in Zacatecas, which was quickly extinguished. As punishment for his rebellion, part of the territory of Zacatecas was split off and turned into the Aguascalientes Territory.
- The Texas region of the state of Coahuila and Texas declared its independence from MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on October 2, 1835, forming the Republic of TexasRepublic of TexasThe Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
.
- CoahuilaCoahuilaCoahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
, Nuevo LeónNuevo LeónNuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
and TamaulipasTamaulipasTamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
declared themselves independent of MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on January 17, 1840 as the Republic of the Rio GrandeRepublic of the Rio GrandeThe Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation that insurgents against the Central Mexican Government sought to establish in northern Mexico. The rebellion lasted from January 17 to November 6, 1840 and the Republic of the Rio Grande was never officially recognized.- Background :After a...
. The Republic was never truly independent, since the rebels were quickly overthrown. The Republic was dissolved on 6 November 1840.
- YucatánYucatánYucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
, which had joined to the federation under the condition of Federated Republic, declared its independence in 1840 (officially on October 1, 1841); this historic event resulted in the birth of the second Republic of YucatánRepublic of YucatánThe Republic of Yucatan was a nineteenth century sovereign state during two periods of the century. The first Republic of Yucatan, founded May 29, 1823, joined the Mexican federation as the Federated Republic of Yucatán on December 23, 1823, less than seven months later...
, which returned permanently to the nation in 1848.
- TabascoTabascoTabasco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tabasco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 17 municipalities and its capital city is Villahermosa....
, due to conflicts with the new centralized system, declared independence from Mexico on 13 February 1841 and returned to the nation on December 2, 1842.
On August 22, 1846, due to the war with the United States, the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824
1824 Constitution of Mexico
The 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...
was restored. There remained the separation of Yucatan, but 2 years later Yucatan definitively rejoined Mexico.
The Basis for Administration of the Republic
A change in the governance of the country was determined by the Decree of 22 April 1853, which from that moment recognized the Basis for the Administration of the Republic as the fundamental law for the reorganization of government.In this precept, in the first and second articles, the Section of Internal Governance, the independence and sovereignty of states were abolished, although the name "states" was retained.
In the third article districts, cities or towns that had been separated from the states and divisions to which they belonged were returned to their original conditions. This excluded Aguascalientes, which continued to be considered a district of Zacatecas.
In a statement the Ministry of War, on September 21, 1853, it was decided that states would instead be called departments.
Changes in the territorial division, according to the code above, were:
1. Decree of May 29, 1853, establishing the Territory of Tehuantepec, its capital city at Minatitlan
Minatitlán
There are at least two places in Mexico called Minatitlán:*Minatitlán, Colima*Minatitlán, Veracruz along the Coatzacoalcos River...
.
2. Decree of October 16, 1853, establishing the Territory of the Isla del Carmen.
3. Decree of December 1, 1853, establishing the Territory of Sierra Gorda, its capital city at San Luis de la Paz
San Luis de la Paz
San Luis de la Paz is a city and its surrounding municipality of the same name located in the northeastern part of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. A charming city with great historic and cultural wealth, was founded on August 25, 1552, as a defensive town in the Spanish Silver Road, which linked...
.
4. Decree of December 1, 1853, adding the district of Tuxpan to the Department of Veracruz.
5. Decree of December 10, 1853, redesignating the District of Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 11 municipalities and its capital city is Aguascalientes....
as a Department.
6. Decree of February 16, 1854, creating, despite the centralist system, a kind of Federal District.
7. Decree of July 20, 1854, approving the Treaty of Mesilla
Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase is a region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico that was purchased by the United States in a treaty signed by James Gadsden, the American ambassador to Mexico at the time, on December 30, 1853. It was then ratified, with changes, by the U.S...
, which amended the border with the United States of America through the loss of territory of Chihuahua and Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
.
Plan of Ayutla
The Plan of AyutlaPlan of Ayutla
The Plan of Ayutla was a plan aimed at removing Antonio López de Santa Anna as dictator of Mexico. Initially drafted on February 24, 1854, by Colonel Florencio Villarreal, it was proclaimed on March 1, 1854, in Ayutla, Guerrero...
was a political statement proclaimed on March 1, 1854 in Ayutla
Ayutla
Ayutla:*Ayutla, San Marcos, a municipality in the San Marcos department of Guatemala.*Ayutla de los Libres, a small town located in the Mexican state of Guerrero.*The Plan of Ayutla was proclaimed in Ayutla, Guerrero....
, 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....
, intended to end the presidency of Antonio López de Santa Anna.
The plan was revised in Acapulco, 11 March 1854, in its second article respecting, in principle, the territorial division and just convened a representative from each Department and Territory.
The Provisional Organic Statute, known as Lafragua Code was promulgated on May 15, 1856 and provided the legal basis for governing the country in the interim between the Plan of Ayutla
Plan of Ayutla
The Plan of Ayutla was a plan aimed at removing Antonio López de Santa Anna as dictator of Mexico. Initially drafted on February 24, 1854, by Colonel Florencio Villarreal, it was proclaimed on March 1, 1854, in Ayutla, Guerrero...
and Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1857. That document left open a later choice for federalism or centralism, but encouraged federalism because it called the entities that formed the Republic States. Thus, in its 2nd article, it retained the previous territorial division, determining the existence of 22 states, the District of the capital and 6 territories.
The Constitution of 1857 was a liberal constitution drafted during the presidency of Ignacio Comonfort
Ignacio Comonfort
Ignacio Gregorio Comonfort de los Ríos was a Mexican politician and military officer who served as President of Mexico....
, who was sworn in on February 5, 1857. The Constitution contained the essence of that of 1824 (the federal character of the state and the democratic system of representative and republican government), but established freedom of religion, ending the domain of the Catholic Church as the sole and official religion of the country, and set out in Article 43 the parties making up the federation: 24 states, 1 federal territory and the Federal District known as the Valley of Mexico today Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. The territories of Sierra Gorda, Tehuantepec and Isla del Carmen and Nuevo Leon
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
as an independent state disappeared.