🇲🇽 México independiente (1821 - 1854) | Curso UNAM historia de México | Situación política

Mexico's Independence: From 1821 to 1854

The Path to Independence

• The meeting between Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero, known as the "Abrazo de Acatempan," led to the proclamation of the Plan of Iguala, which unified insurgents and royalists into a single army called the Trigarante Army.

• On August 24, 1821, in Córdoba, Veracruz, Viceroy Odonojú signed the Treaties of Córdoba with Iturbide, formalizing Mexico's independence. This marked a significant turning point in Mexican history.

• The Trigarante Army entered Mexico City on September 27, 1821, symbolizing the end of the war for independence that began with Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores on September 16, 1810.

Economic and Political Challenges Post-Independence

• Following ten years of struggle for independence, Mexico faced widespread economic and political crises characterized by stagnation and instability. This period was marked by internal conflicts among political factions.

• Leaders sought to establish a national identity while contending with external pressures from capitalist powers like the United States, France, and England aiming to intervene in Mexican affairs.

Recognition of Independence

• Although Mexico declared its independence on September 28, 1821, Spain did not recognize it until 1836 through the Santa María-Calatrava Treaty. This delay highlighted ongoing tensions between Mexico and Spain regarding sovereignty.

The First Government Structure: Empire under Iturbide

• In early 1822, Agustín de Iturbide was proclaimed Emperor Agustín I; this established a constitutional monarchy as Mexico's first form of government post-independence. However, it quickly faced challenges due to economic mismanagement and resource wastefulness under his rule.

• Discontent within Congress over Iturbide’s administration led him to dissolve Congress after they criticized his governance—a decision that ultimately fueled opposition against him from figures like Antonio López de Santa Anna.

Transition from Empire to Republic

• In response to growing unrest against his rule in 1823, Santa Anna and Guadalupe Victoria initiated the Plan of Casamata aimed at reinstating Congress and ending Iturbide’s empire; this plan succeeded when Congress declared his regime unconstitutional.

• With Iturbide expelled from power, Congress transitioned Mexico from an empire to a republic—marking a pivotal shift in governance structure away from monarchy towards republicanism amidst ongoing political factionalism between federalists and centralists.

Federalism vs Centralism

• A significant ideological divide emerged between federalists advocating for states' rights versus centralists favoring strong centralized control; this conflict shaped early Mexican politics significantly during this era.

• Federalists aimed for a division into free sovereign states with elected governors through popular vote.

• Centralists sought provincial divisions governed by appointed leaders under strict adherence to central authority laws reflecting conservative ideals reminiscent of pre-revolutionary governance structures.

History of Mexico's Government and Key Conflicts

The Federal Republic and Early Presidents

• The second form of government in Mexico was the Federal Republic, established by the Constitution of 1824, which included a presidential term of four years, Catholicism as the sole religion, and a division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

• Guadalupe Victoria became the first constitutional president of Mexico after the Constitution of 1824; his presidency lasted from 1824 to 1829. It is crucial not to confuse him with Agustín de Iturbide, who was Mexico's first emperor.

Vicente Guerrero's Presidency

• Vicente Guerrero succeeded Guadalupe Victoria as president. During his term, Spain attempted to regain control over Mexico through an invasion led by General Isidro Barradas.

• Guerrero successfully mobilized troops under Santa Ana to defeat the Spanish forces during this conflict.

Centralist Republic Under Santa Ana

• In 1833, Antonio López de Santa Ana was named president for the first time. By 1835, he introduced a new constitution known as "Las Siete Leyes," marking the beginning of a centralist republic where power was concentrated in the presidency.

• This centralist regime resulted in states becoming departments that had to comply with central laws and restricted human freedoms.

Characteristics of Santa Ana's Dictatorship

• Santa Ana’s rule (1833–1854), characterized by dictatorial practices, included absurd taxation on items like doors and windows.

• His administration faced significant international conflicts:

• In 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico amid dissatisfaction with centralist governance. Initially refusing to accept this declaration, Santa Ana later signed the Treaty of Velasco recognizing Texas' independence after being captured.

International Conflicts During Santa Ana's Rule

• In 1838, while temporarily out of office due to Anastasio Bustamante’s presidency, Mexican forces accidentally damaged a French bakery in Veracruz. France intervened when Mexico refused compensation; ultimately leading to payment of 600,000 pesos to avoid war—this incident is known as "La Guerra de los Pasteles."

• Following Texas' independence in 1848, U.S. expansionism prompted attempts to negotiate for California and New Mexico territories. When negotiations failed, war broke out between Mexico and the U.S. in 1846.

The Mexican-American War Outcomes

• The U.S. won several battles during this conflict and reached Palacio Nacional claiming victory; subsequently signing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 which ceded California and other territories totaling over two million square kilometers from Mexico.

• In another controversial episode in 1853 known as "La Venta de la Mesilla," Santa Ana sold a portion of Mexican territory (approximately 76 km²), called La Mesilla for fifteen million pesos through the Gadsden Purchase.

Conclusion: Impact on National Sentiment

Ending the Dictatorship of Santa Ana

Overview of the Discussion

• The speaker emphasizes the need to end the dictatorship of Santa Ana due to his loss of public trust.

• This topic will be explored further in the next class, indicating a continuation of this discussion.

• The speaker encourages audience engagement by asking viewers to comment if they enjoyed the class.

• A reminder is given to share the video and subscribe to the channel for future content.