The Constitution of 1824

• March 19, 1823, Mexican emperor Agustin de Iturbide was overthrown.

• The people who formed the new Mexican government were called Federalists. They believed in sharing power between the states and the national government.

=

National Flag State Flag

• Their opponents, called Centralists, believed that power should be concentrated in the national government of Mexico City.

≠

The Constitution of The Constitution of 18241824

In 1824 the Federalists wrote In 1824 the Federalists wrote a constitution for Mexico a constitution for Mexico that divided the nation into that divided the nation into 19 states and 4 territories19 states and 4 territories

Coahuila and Tejas were Coahuila and Tejas were united as one Mexican state.united as one Mexican state.

The Constitution of 1824

• Baron de Bastrop was chosen as the first representative from Texas.

Colonization LawColonization Law In 1824, Mexican congress passed a new In 1824, Mexican congress passed a new

colonization law.colonization law.

1.1. No one could receive more than 48,708 No one could receive more than 48,708 acres of landacres of land

2.2. No colony could be established within 30 No colony could be established within 30 miles of the coast nor within 60 miles of an miles of the coast nor within 60 miles of an international boundary without international boundary without government permissiongovernment permission

3.3. Only those who intended to live Only those who intended to live permanently in Texas could receive land permanently in Texas could receive land contracts.contracts.

4.4. Land grants were now given through each Land grants were now given through each individual state instead of Mexico City.individual state instead of Mexico City.

Pop Quiz!Pop Quiz! What is a Federalist?What is a Federalist? Answer: They believed in sharing Answer: They believed in sharing

power between state and national power between state and national government.government.

How State Colonization Laws How State Colonization Laws WorkedWorked

In 1825, Saltillo legislature passed a In 1825, Saltillo legislature passed a new law providing for colonization.new law providing for colonization.

Foreigners were invited to immigrate Foreigners were invited to immigrate to Texas.to Texas.

They could receive title to land as They could receive title to land as individuals or through an empresario.individuals or through an empresario.

How State Colonization Laws How State Colonization Laws WorkedWorked

After a family paid $30, they could receive After a family paid $30, they could receive 4,428 acres.4,428 acres.

Colonists would not have to pay taxes for Colonists would not have to pay taxes for a set number of years.a set number of years.

Single men would receive only 1,107 Single men would receive only 1,107 acres of land and would be given an acres of land and would be given an additional 3,321 acres when they were additional 3,321 acres when they were married.married.

If a man married a Mexican woman, he If a man married a Mexican woman, he would receive an additional bonus of would receive an additional bonus of 1,107 acres.1,107 acres.

How State Colonization Laws How State Colonization Laws WorkedWorked

Colonists had to be of good moral Colonists had to be of good moral character.character.

They also had to be Catholic, but They also had to be Catholic, but Mexican authorities did not bother Mexican authorities did not bother settlers who practiced other religions settlers who practiced other religions due to a shortage of Catholic priests.due to a shortage of Catholic priests.

Most settlers came to Texas on an Most settlers came to Texas on an empresario contract.empresario contract.