AH Challenge: Stable Mexico
- Thread starter Glen
- Start date
Glen
Moderator
Wendell said:
That would be unacceptable with the exception of minor border clarifications.
Its also probably unnecessary. From what I've been able to glean, it was internal instability followed by tyrrany that left Mexico vulnerable to territorial losses. I don't think losing territory will help that.
Minor amendments that make sense, yes.
But I will say this...other than the clauses about Roman Catholicism, it was very similar to the US Constitution. Which makes me sceptical that changes to the Constitution will help.
BTW, it was the suspension of the 1824 Constitution in favor of a more centralized state that led to the initial wars of succession in Mexico. One of those resulted in Texas.
I don't know, but a central power too weak ddin't really help them at times too... It generate chaos, anarchy and local greed.
Both are bad... For me, you need a strong (but not dangerously so) central governement, as you always need to planify some things - and well. An united front and all also. If not, you get local cachiques who tend to undermine unity by acting like some roitelets.
But then, a country is one thing, and tax cash is set in a pool for ALL the country. Not just some local things.
Would the Emperor sent by France be a good or bad thing for your scenario if he was kept around and not deposed?
Would the Emperor sent by France be a good or bad thing for your scenario if he was kept around and not deposed?
Would any financial problems have been assisted by the discovery of California Gold in 1825?
Glen
Moderator
A Short History of the United States of Mexico (if we can figure out how)
The Mexican nation was born with the Constitution of 1824, which parallelled that of their neighbor to the north, the USA, with the exception of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church as the state religion.
Some historians still claim that members of the military were planning a coup in 1829, but this has never been conclusively established, and in any event the peaceful transition in the presidency set a precedent for future elections.
The next few decades saw the growth of the Mexican economy, though troubles still intermittantly cropped up from time to time. The Yucatan war led to the slaughter or expulsion to Guatemala of most of the Mayan population in that region in the 1840s. Trouble also occassionally cropped up with the Anglo settlers in the far north, who more often honored their pledges to convert to Catholicism in the breach rather than the keeping.
The late 1840s saw the discovery of the gold fields of Alta California, which greatly spurred development in the territory and led to the creation of new Mexican states in the region as the population grew. Some of this wealth went towards developing Mexican infrastructure, which had for several years lagged behind the Americans.
However, the movements of Mexican citizens into the North and American immigrants to the region from the East brought undesired attention to the Deseret community of the polygamistic Mormons, leading to their so-called 'Saints' War' against the United States of Mexico, which eventually resulted in their defeat and the expulsion of the Mormons to the Oregon Country north of the 42nd parallel, the Northernmost border of Mexico.
The 19th century saw increased immigration from Europe to both America and Mexico, drawn by the economic opportunities of the New World. A religious dicotomy developed in the immigration patterns of the two nations, with many Roman Catholics, especially Irish and Meditteranean nationalities, choosing the United States of Mexico, whereas Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Jews tended to be attracted to the purported religious freedoms of the United States of America.
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec was becoming a major transportation route between the gold fields of California and the rest of the world, and became one of the sites of major railway development for transoceanic shipments. However, a more ambitious vision for the Isthmus was the construction of a transoceanic canal. This vision would not be realized in full until the turn of the century, greatly assisted by the developments in steam diggers and explosives.
The Age of Expansion saw Mexico come into conflict with Spain over the Cuban revolution, and the Spanish-Mexican war saw the defeat of the Old World by the New. Cuba and Puerto Rico opted for statehood in the United States of Mexico, whereas the Philippines remained stubborn in their insistence on independence and this eventually was granted.
Mexico along with the USA, Great Britain, and Japan became guarantors of the neutrality and extraterritorial priveledges of the nations in the Kingdom of Hawai'i.
By the early twentieth century, the gold and silver wealth of the nation had begun to peter out, but were replaced by the new wealth of black gold in the state of Coahuila and Texas.
Also, social changes had finally come to the United States of Mexico. For decades, the priviledged position of the Church had been enshrined in the Constitution, but more and more was being eroded and challenged in day to day life, especially by protestant immigrants in the north. Eventually, a constitutional amendment was passed citing the historical and cultural significance of the Church in Mexican life, but removing the Church's priviledges and established status, making Mexico a nation of religious freedoms.
The Mexican nation was born with the Constitution of 1824, which parallelled that of their neighbor to the north, the USA, with the exception of the establishment of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church as the state religion.
Some historians still claim that members of the military were planning a coup in 1829, but this has never been conclusively established, and in any event the peaceful transition in the presidency set a precedent for future elections.
The next few decades saw the growth of the Mexican economy, though troubles still intermittantly cropped up from time to time. The Yucatan war led to the slaughter or expulsion to Guatemala of most of the Mayan population in that region in the 1840s. Trouble also occassionally cropped up with the Anglo settlers in the far north, who more often honored their pledges to convert to Catholicism in the breach rather than the keeping.
The late 1840s saw the discovery of the gold fields of Alta California, which greatly spurred development in the territory and led to the creation of new Mexican states in the region as the population grew. Some of this wealth went towards developing Mexican infrastructure, which had for several years lagged behind the Americans.
However, the movements of Mexican citizens into the North and American immigrants to the region from the East brought undesired attention to the Deseret community of the polygamistic Mormons, leading to their so-called 'Saints' War' against the United States of Mexico, which eventually resulted in their defeat and the expulsion of the Mormons to the Oregon Country north of the 42nd parallel, the Northernmost border of Mexico.
The 19th century saw increased immigration from Europe to both America and Mexico, drawn by the economic opportunities of the New World. A religious dicotomy developed in the immigration patterns of the two nations, with many Roman Catholics, especially Irish and Meditteranean nationalities, choosing the United States of Mexico, whereas Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Jews tended to be attracted to the purported religious freedoms of the United States of America.
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec was becoming a major transportation route between the gold fields of California and the rest of the world, and became one of the sites of major railway development for transoceanic shipments. However, a more ambitious vision for the Isthmus was the construction of a transoceanic canal. This vision would not be realized in full until the turn of the century, greatly assisted by the developments in steam diggers and explosives.
The Age of Expansion saw Mexico come into conflict with Spain over the Cuban revolution, and the Spanish-Mexican war saw the defeat of the Old World by the New. Cuba and Puerto Rico opted for statehood in the United States of Mexico, whereas the Philippines remained stubborn in their insistence on independence and this eventually was granted.
Mexico along with the USA, Great Britain, and Japan became guarantors of the neutrality and extraterritorial priveledges of the nations in the Kingdom of Hawai'i.
By the early twentieth century, the gold and silver wealth of the nation had begun to peter out, but were replaced by the new wealth of black gold in the state of Coahuila and Texas.
Also, social changes had finally come to the United States of Mexico. For decades, the priviledged position of the Church had been enshrined in the Constitution, but more and more was being eroded and challenged in day to day life, especially by protestant immigrants in the north. Eventually, a constitutional amendment was passed citing the historical and cultural significance of the Church in Mexican life, but removing the Church's priviledges and established status, making Mexico a nation of religious freedoms.
Fearless Leader
Donor
Perhaps if Miguel Hidalgo decides to and succeeds in taking Mexico city in 1810 his revolution can gain enough support to become viable. Without his execution the Mexican war of independence turns out more like the American/French Revolution. Supposing that he doesn't turn loopy like he did towards the end of his life, Hidalgo could easily provide the foundations of a stable Mexican republic.
If you want Mexico to retain it's 1824 borders, you need to either have a more benevolent autocrat than Santa Anna or a greater sense of federalism and decentralization in Mexico.
Take Texas for example. In 1826 some American settlers tried to revolt and form the Republic of Fredonia in Texas. The revolt was put down not just by Mexican troops but by the militia that Stephen Austin mustered. So at least some American settlers were willing to be loyal Mexicans. Plus the Tejanos revolted with the Americans in 1835. If Mexico had had a more benign ruler, or if there was less centralization and the people in the north felt left alone by Mexico City, maybe so much Mexican territory wouldn't be ripe for the picking.
Inviting non-American colonists to also settle the north would have helped too.
Take Texas for example. In 1826 some American settlers tried to revolt and form the Republic of Fredonia in Texas. The revolt was put down not just by Mexican troops but by the militia that Stephen Austin mustered. So at least some American settlers were willing to be loyal Mexicans. Plus the Tejanos revolted with the Americans in 1835. If Mexico had had a more benign ruler, or if there was less centralization and the people in the north felt left alone by Mexico City, maybe so much Mexican territory wouldn't be ripe for the picking.
Inviting non-American colonists to also settle the north would have helped too.