Liberalism in Mexico
Encyclopedia
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Mexico
. It is limited to liberal
parties
with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament.
Since the 19th century, the political territory of Mexico witnessed turbulent clashes between the conservative and liberal ideologies, an inheritance of the 300 years of European colonialism at its rawest and the influence of the French and American Revolutions, respectively. Several of the conflicts in the country throughout the 19th and first half of the 20th century can be attributed to social origins. Some of the events emanating from the radical practices of both ideologies include the very War for Independence and Revolution, not to mention countless revolts and the overthrowing of several presidents and even two emperors. So turbulent was the political stage that, in an ironic twist that is almost a cliché, those who occupied the presidency after a coup d'état found themselves the subject of a putsch: Anastasio Bustamante, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Ignacio Comonfort and Porfirio Diaz to name a few. To some their beliefs were worth taking to their grave, while others saw the parties as merely marketing strategies. Agustin de Iturbide, head of the Royalist Army, for example defected to the insurgency and wound up as the first Emperor of Mexico, and Santa Anna, ever an opportunist, changed his party to suit convenience, ultimately serving eleven times as President. And in what may only be portrayed as novel-like, the liberal ideal always managed to “win.” One of the last (and perhaps most glorious) liberal victories was the 1917 Constitution. Political and social clashes defined Mexico and although the end of the “war” between liberalism and conservatism (one which was not silent nor forgiving) ended by the time of Lazaro Cardenas’ presidency, the legacy of liberalism continues to be felt as, not just in the ideology itself but in its sustenance.
Juan Francisco Lucas is a key figure in Mexican history during the 19th century for his prominent role as a leader of the indigenous guerrilla, the Cuatecomacos, who took part in several clashes against the French Army in the Battle of Cinco de Mayo in Puebla in 1862 and other guerrilla warfare in the Sierra Norte de Puebla in 1865 against the Austrian Voluntary Corps commanded by General Franz von Thun.
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...
. It is limited to liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
parties
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament.
Since the 19th century, the political territory of Mexico witnessed turbulent clashes between the conservative and liberal ideologies, an inheritance of the 300 years of European colonialism at its rawest and the influence of the French and American Revolutions, respectively. Several of the conflicts in the country throughout the 19th and first half of the 20th century can be attributed to social origins. Some of the events emanating from the radical practices of both ideologies include the very War for Independence and Revolution, not to mention countless revolts and the overthrowing of several presidents and even two emperors. So turbulent was the political stage that, in an ironic twist that is almost a cliché, those who occupied the presidency after a coup d'état found themselves the subject of a putsch: Anastasio Bustamante, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Ignacio Comonfort and Porfirio Diaz to name a few. To some their beliefs were worth taking to their grave, while others saw the parties as merely marketing strategies. Agustin de Iturbide, head of the Royalist Army, for example defected to the insurgency and wound up as the first Emperor of Mexico, and Santa Anna, ever an opportunist, changed his party to suit convenience, ultimately serving eleven times as President. And in what may only be portrayed as novel-like, the liberal ideal always managed to “win.” One of the last (and perhaps most glorious) liberal victories was the 1917 Constitution. Political and social clashes defined Mexico and although the end of the “war” between liberalism and conservatism (one which was not silent nor forgiving) ended by the time of Lazaro Cardenas’ presidency, the legacy of liberalism continues to be felt as, not just in the ideology itself but in its sustenance.
Timeline
Liberalism in Mexico during the 19th century was very prevalent.Liberal leaders
- Benito JuárezBenito JuárezBenito 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...
- Sebastián Lerdo de TejadaSebastián Lerdo de TejadaSebastián Lerdo de Tejada y Corral was a jurist and Liberal president of Mexico.-Background:...
- Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. MaderoFrancisco Ignacio Madero González was a politician, writer and revolutionary who served as President of Mexico from 1911 to 1913. As a respectable upper-class politician, he supplied a center around which opposition to the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz could coalesce...
- Emiliano ZapataEmiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata Salazar was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution, which broke out in 1910, and which was initially directed against the president Porfirio Díaz. He formed and commanded an important revolutionary force, the Liberation Army of the South, during the Mexican Revolution...
- Ricardo Flores MagónRicardo Flores MagónCipriano Ricardo Flores Magón was a noted Mexican anarchist and social reform activist. His brothers Enrique and Jesús were also active in politics. Followers of the Magón brothers were known as Magonistas....
- Santos DegolladoSantos DegolladoJosé Santos Degollado Sánchez was a Mexican politician and military leader. During his service in the Mexican Army, Degollado fought against López de Santa Anna and later alongside Benito Juárez. He was deputy, and later governor of the state of Michoacán...
- Juan Francisco Lucas
Juan Francisco Lucas is a key figure in Mexican history during the 19th century for his prominent role as a leader of the indigenous guerrilla, the Cuatecomacos, who took part in several clashes against the French Army in the Battle of Cinco de Mayo in Puebla in 1862 and other guerrilla warfare in the Sierra Norte de Puebla in 1865 against the Austrian Voluntary Corps commanded by General Franz von Thun.
See also
- History of MexicoHistory of MexicoThe history of Mexico, a country located in the southern portion of North America, covers a period of more than two millennia. First populated more than 13,000 years ago, the country produced complex indigenous civilizations before being conquered by the Spanish in the 16th Century.Since the...
- Politics of MexicoPolitics of MexicoThe politics of Mexico take place in a framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic whose government is based on a congressional system, whereby the president of Mexico is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system...
- List of political parties in Mexico