Adoption of the Constitution of 1857 and 1917
After much heated debate congress adopted the 1857 constitution, however there was continued debate and anger over many of the articles, particularly those that were viewed as against the Catholic Church.
The main articles were:
The reaction to these laws was predictably volatile. The Church rebelled as did the conservative fractions. A general rebellion began and eventually the country was ruled by Maximillian and the Second Mexican Empire. Maximillian was killed, Benito Juarez was released from prison and overthrew the government.
In 1917 during the Mexican Revolution the 1917 Constitution was adopted. It is the first constitution in the world to embed social rights. Major additions included establishing the bases for a free, mandatory, and secular education, foundation of land reform and empowerment of the labor sector.
It seriously restricted the influence of the Roman Catholic Church and continued to be controversial and provocative.
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