After Mexico gained independence from Spain, its leaders needed to create a government for the new nation. In 1824, Mexico adopted a constitution that established the United Mexican States as a federal republic.
A federal system divides power between the national government and state governments. Under the Constitution of 1824, Mexico’s national government had three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
The legislative branch was Congress. Like the U.S. Congress, it had two houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Members of the Chamber of Deputies served two-year terms, while senators served four-year terms.
The executive branch was led by a president and vice president who served four-year terms. State legislatures played an important role in choosing them.
The judicial branch included a national Supreme Court and other federal courts.
The Constitution also gave state governments authority over many local matters. States could create their own constitutions and governments as long as they followed the national constitution. Texas was not a separate state. Instead, it became part of the state of Coahuila y Tejas.
Religion was another important part of the Constitution. Catholicism was established as the official religion of Mexico, and the public practice of other religions was not allowed. This differed from the United States Constitution, which did not establish an official national religion.
Mexico’s Constitution of 1824 created a government that shared some important features with the United States government, including federalism, three branches, and a two-house legislature. It also differed in important ways. These similarities and differences would matter as Anglo-American settlers in Texas responded to decisions made by Mexico’s national and state governments.