| Constitutional Decree for the Liberty of Mexican America | |
|---|---|
 Original cover of the Constitution of Apatzingán | |
| Created | 1814 |
| Ratified | 22 October 1814 |
| Location | General Archive of the Nation in theLecumberri Palace |
| Author | Congress of Anáhuac |
| Signatories | Congress of Anáhuac |
| Purpose | Constitution to control the independent territories |
TheConstitution of Apatzingán (Spanish:Constitución de Apatzingán), formally theConstitutional Decree for the Liberty of Mexican America (Spanish:Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana), was promulgated on 22 October 1814 by theCongress of Anahuac gathered in the city ofApatzingán because of the persecution of the troops ofFélix María Calleja. The constitution was valid for insurgent forces in the territories that it controlled during theMexican War of Independence.
After the death of theRoman Catholic priest and revolutionary leader,Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, on 28 June 1813,José María Morelos fromAcapulco made a call to create a Congress in September in the city ofChilpancingo (now in the state ofGuerrero), whose purpose was to create an independent government. Proclaimed as theSupreme National Congress, it was convened on 14 September 1813; that same day Morelos announced to the Assembly a program calledSentimientos de la Nación,[1] in which the independence of Mexican America was declared and a government of popular representation with division of powers, prohibition of slavery and absence of castes was instituted.[2] On 6 November, same year, the Congress signed the first official document of independence, known as theSolemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America.[3]
The Constitution of Apatzingán comprised 2 titles and 242 articles. It was based on the same principles as theConstitution of Cádiz but in a modified form: as opposed to the Spanish constitution, it provided for the establishment of arepublican system of government. The most relevant articles were:[4]
The Supreme Government (Executive) was composed of three persons with equal authority and responsibility; same as the government would exercise as an alternative every four months. Their most direct authority, in addition to the executive and administrative nature, were to ensure the protection of the rights of citizens: liberty, property, equality and security. The Supreme Government would be exercised by José María Cos, José María Liceaga and José María Morelos.
The Constitution of Apatzingán never really entered into force. Almost a year after it was enacted, José María Morelos y Pavón was imprisoned and was shot on 22 December 1815. So royalist troops temporarily returned to take control of most of the country, but ultimately could not prevent independence ofMexican America from being consummated, first as theMexican Empire and later as theUnited Mexican States.