Constitution of 1917 essays

Constitution of 1917 essays Nationalism hit home in Mexico when the Constitution of 1917 was written. Neocolonialism was now at an end when Porfirio Diaz was over thrown in 1910. During this time, the masses and especially the middle class wanted a total social, economical, and political reform in Mexico. After Diaz left, Mexicos politics became very unstable and was marked by power struggles and revolutions. Finally, a movement that was better organized, involving more urban and middle classes, lead by Venustiano Carranza was able to take power and draft the Constitution of 1917. The Constitution of 1917 was a remake of the constitution that was created by Benito Juarez in 1857. The ideas that had embodies this constitution were long outdated and did not represent the new nationalistic views of the people. Three important points presented in this constitution concentrated on topics such as religion, education, nationalization of industries, and the rights of workers that had made up much of the masses. For example, article 3 stated that primary education must be mandatory and free. Most importantly, it must be free from all religion affiliation and influence. This was a major change in social reforms. Previously, the Catholic Church had dominated the sector of society, but as other articles of the Constitution of 1917 would imply, the church would lose nearly all of its power. Priest would not longer even be allowed to wear their religious clothing in public. Another important objective of the constitution was nationalization of lands and industries. This would be included in article 27 which stated that all minerals such as gold, silver, oil and water located under the soil would be now owned by the state. This article created many eruptions because previously these rights had rested in the hands of foreign companies such as those in the United States, a very powerful influence on Mexico during these times. For Mexico, Article 27 provided...