A Nation Born in Chaos
Modern Mexico emerged from its war for independence (1810–1821) as a fractured and impoverished nation. Eleven years of conflict had left infrastructure in ruins—roads, buildings, and dams destroyed, while the countryside lay abandoned. The fledgling republic inherited two crippling burdens: empty public coffers and deep political divisions. Future revenues were already pledged, and the government lacked the means to rebuild.
The short-lived empire of Agustín de Iturbide collapsed within a year, overthrown by internal rebellion. His successor, Guadalupe Victoria—a symbolic name honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe and victory over Spain—became Mexico’s first president. A veteran of the independence war, Victoria was followed by Vicente Guerrero, the first president of African descent in the Americas. Guerrero’s decree abolishing slavery in 1829 was a bold move, particularly disruptive in northern regions like Tejas (Texas), where slavery persisted despite the ban.
The Cycle of Political Instability
Mexico’s early decades were marked by relentless political turmoil. Guerrero’s presidency lasted only eight months before he was deposed. His successors fared no better—José María Bocanegra ruled for a mere week, and Anastasio Bustamante was also ousted by rebellion. This pattern of coups set a dangerous precedent, with nearly every 19th-century Mexican president forcibly removed from office.
The instability had territorial consequences. Central America (modern Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica) seceded peacefully in 1823. Chiapas briefly declared independence, and Yucatán—geographically and culturally distant from Mexico City—threatened to break away.
Yucatán: A Peninsula Adrift
Governor Antonio López de Santa Anna, later a dominant and controversial figure in Mexican history, was sent to Yucatán in what amounted to political exile. Isolated and economically tied to Spanish Cuba, Yucatán’s elite resented Mexico’s trade restrictions with Spain. Santa Anna proposed an audacious solution: liberate Cuba and annex it to Mexico. His plan collapsed under diplomatic pressure, but Yucatán’s separatist tendencies lingered.
By 1841, Yucatán declared independence a second time, adopting a flag resembling the U.S. Stars and Stripes. The Republic of Yucatán even formed an alliance with the Republic of Texas, agreeing to mutual defense against Mexico. However, isolation and financial strain forced Yucatán’s eventual reintegration into Mexico.
Texas: The Spark of Conflict
Mexico’s northern frontier was sparsely populated and vulnerable. To encourage settlement, the government offered land grants and tax exemptions in Tejas, attracting Anglo-American colonists like Stephen Austin. These settlers, many bringing enslaved people despite Mexico’s ban, soon outnumbered Mexicans. Tensions escalated when Guerrero abolished slavery, threatening the Anglo-Texan economy.
In 1836, Texan rebels declared independence. Santa Anna, now president, marched north to crush the revolt. The brutal siege of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad turned the conflict into a racial war. Despite initial victories, Santa Anna was captured at San Jacinto, and Texas secured independence—later joining the U.S. in 1845.
The Mexican-American War: A Predictable Tragedy
The U.S. annexation of Texas provoked Mexico, but the republic was ill-prepared for war. With only 7 million people against America’s 22 million, a bankrupt treasury, and persistent infighting, Mexico stood little chance. Yucatán declared neutrality, and state governors refused to send troops. Seven presidents cycled through office during the war (1846–1848).
Despite heroic resistance—including Santa Anna’s surprising return from exile to lead forces—the U.S. captured Mexico City in 1847. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ceded half of Mexico’s territory, including California, New Mexico, and Texas, for $15 million.
Legacy: A Fractured Identity
The war’s aftermath left deep scars. Mexicans stranded in the lost territories endured discrimination, yet preserved their culture, giving rise to the Chicano identity. Modern Mexico’s borders were forged in defeat, but its resilience shaped a national consciousness. The 19th-century struggles—political instability, territorial loss, and external pressures—continue to echo in Mexico’s relationship with the U.S. today.
The words of Mexican intellectual Guillermo Prieto in 1847 still resonate: “The insatiable ambition of the United States, favored by our own weakness, caused that war.” Mexico’s early fragility defined its path, but its enduring spirit ensured survival against overwhelming odds.