Mexican Constitution of 1824
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In 1824 the Federalists wrote a constitution for Mexico.
It divided the Mexican nation into 19 states & territories.
The former Spanish provinces of Coahuila and Texas were united as one Mexican
state called Coahuila y Tejas
Texas was only entitled to select 1 of 12 members of the state legislature that met at
Saltillo [the capital] in Coahuila.
Only religion allowed- Catholic
Use your notes, the information above, and pages 195-196 Mexico’s Government & Constitution
1. How many years did it take from Mexico’s Independence from Spain to the time they wrote
and approved their Constitution? _______________________________________________________
2. What political faction was responsible for writing the Mexican Constitution of 1824?
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3. How did the Federalists want the power in the government to be divided? ________________
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4. Why was Texas combined with Coahuila & not a separate state? _________________________
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5. What problems do you think will occur if Texas had only 1 representative and Coahuila had
11 in the Coahuila y Texas state legislature? ______________________________________________
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Summary
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Colonization Laws of 1825
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Guidelines that were passed at the state level in Saltillo, the capital, to govern how
Coahuila y Tejas was going to be colonized.
 Foreigners were invited to immigrate to Tejas (Texas).
 Very generous land grants were available.
o Pay $30.00 & a family could get 4,428 acres of land.
o Single men could get 1,107 acres & get 3,321 acres more when they got married.
o If a single man married a Mexican woman he would get an extra 1,107 acres as a
bonus.
o Colonists wouldn’t pay taxes for (10) years.
 Colonists had to show evidence of good moral character (letter of reference).
 Had to be Catholic.
 Had to become a Mexican citizen.
Empresarios
 Each empresario would get 23,000 acres for every 100 colonists he brought.
 Empresario contracts lasted for 6 years.
 If they didn’t bring at least 100 settlers in 6 years their contract was cancelled.
Empresarios
Spoke Spanish
Knowledge of Mexican
law and how to get
land grants
Already in possession
of the best lands
Settle on your own
Couldn’t speak Spanish
No Knowledge of
Mexican laws.
No knowledge of where
to settle.
Use the information in the box above
1. What is the purpose of the Colonization Laws of 1825? __________________________________
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2. What do you think will happen to the population of Texas after this law is passed? _________
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3. Where do you think most of the settlers will be coming from? ___________________________
Why? ____________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you think giving additional lands for marrying a Mexican woman is right? ____________
Why do you think the Mexican government would add this to the law? ___________________
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Summary
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