La Reforma was a significant period in Mexican history during the mid-19th century, marked by liberal reforms aimed at modernizing the country by limiting the influence of the Catholic Church and the military. These reforms were a response to decades of conservative dominance and were enshrined in the Constitution of 1857. The conflict between liberals and conservatives during this period culminated in the War of the Reform (1858–1860) and later influenced Mexico’s resistance against the French intervention.

The long-term impact of La Reforma shaped Mexico’s political, social, and economic landscape for generations.

Background: The Need for Reform

Before La Reforma, Mexico faced political instability following its independence from Spain in 1821. The country was dominated by conservative elites, including the Catholic Church and the military, who wielded significant economic and political power.

Early attempts at reform were made under President Valentín Gómez Farías in 1833, but they were short-lived due to conservative backlash. The dictatorship of Antonio López de Santa Anna in the early 1850s further entrenched conservative control, prompting liberal opposition. The liberal revolution, initiated by the Plan of Ayutla in 1854, successfully overthrew Santa Anna and set the stage for La Reforma.

Key Reforms and Laws

La Reforma was characterized by a series of liberal laws and policies aimed at reducing the power of the Church and the military, redistributing land, and establishing a secular state. The most important reform laws included:

Juárez Law (1855)

Named after Benito Juárez, this law restricted the privileges (fueros) of the military and ecclesiastical courts, ensuring that all citizens were equal under the law. It abolished special tribunals for clergy and military officers, making them subject to civil courts.

Lerdo Law (1856)

Proposed by Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, this law mandated the sale of corporate lands owned by the Church and Indigenous communities. The goal was to create a class of small landowners and promote economic development. However, in practice, much of the land was acquired by wealthy individuals, further marginalizing Indigenous communities.

Iglesias Law (1857)

This law, named after José María Iglesias, prohibited the Church from charging fees for religious services such as baptisms, marriages, and burials, particularly affecting lower-income citizens who had been financially burdened by these practices.

Constitution of 1857

The Constitution of 1857 was the culmination of La Reforma. It enshrined liberal principles, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. It also reinforced the separation of church and state and confirmed the abolition of slavery in Mexico. However, its implementation faced strong opposition from conservative factions, leading to armed conflict.

War of the Reform (1858–1860)

The new liberal constitution sparked a conservative rebellion, leading to the War of the Reform. President Ignacio Comonfort initially attempted to mediate between liberals and conservatives but eventually resigned, leading to Benito Juárez assuming the presidency.

The war pitted liberal forces, led by Juárez, against conservative factions, who opposed the constitutional changes. The conflict lasted three years, ending with a liberal victory in 1860. The war left Mexico in a weakened state, vulnerable to foreign intervention.

Why Did the Mexican Conservatives Lose the Reform War (Guerra de Reforma)

French Intervention and the Second Mexican Empire (1862–1867)

Shortly after the War of the Reform, French Emperor Napoleon III used Mexico’s suspension of debt payments as a pretext to invade the country. With the support of Mexican conservatives, the French installed Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg as Emperor of Mexico in 1864.

Ironically, Maximilian, despite conservative backing, upheld many of the liberal reforms of Juárez, including the Reform Laws. However, with the support of the United States following the end of its Civil War, Juárez led resistance forces against the French and ultimately restored the republic in 1867. Maximilian was captured and executed, cementing the victory of the liberal movement.

Economic Impact

One of the primary goals of La Reforma was economic modernization. Liberals believed that breaking up corporate landholdings would stimulate the economy and create a prosperous middle class. While some urban properties were successfully transferred to private owners, the redistribution of rural land largely failed. Wealthy elites purchased much of the land, exacerbating inequality and leaving Indigenous communities landless. Additionally, the economic turmoil caused by years of conflict meant that Mexico remained dependent on foreign investment, particularly from European powers and the United States.

La Reforma was a defining period in Mexican history, characterized by efforts to modernize the country by limiting the influence of the Catholic Church and military, promoting economic liberalization, and establishing a secular state.

Social Impact and Education Reforms

La Reforma also aimed to transform Mexican society by emphasizing secular education. Previously, the Catholic Church controlled much of the educational system, focusing on religious instruction. The liberal government established public schools, emphasizing scientific and civic education to create an informed and independent citizenry. This reform laid the foundation for modern Mexico’s secular education system.

Political Legacy

The victory of the liberals in 1867 ensured the dominance of liberal ideology in Mexican politics for the following decades. Benito Juárez continued to lead Mexico until his death in 1872. His successor, Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada, sought to continue La Reforma but faced resistance. The Porfirio Díaz dictatorship (1876–1911) maintained many of the legal frameworks of La Reforma but concentrated power in an authoritarian regime.

Despite its shortcomings, La Reforma fundamentally reshaped Mexico’s legal and political system, establishing the foundation for future democratic governance. The principles of La Reforma were later incorporated into the Constitution of 1917, which remains the legal foundation of Mexico today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main goals of La Reforma?

It sought to separate church and state, establish equality before the law, redistribute land to encourage private ownership, and create a modern legal and economic framework.

What was the Juárez Law (Ley Juárez)?

Enacted in 1855, it restricted the jurisdiction of military and ecclesiastical courts, ensuring that all citizens were subject to the same legal system.

What was the Lerdo Law (Ley Lerdo)?

Passed in 1856, it forced the sale of land held by the Catholic Church and Indigenous communities, aiming to create a market economy and broaden land ownership.

How did the Constitution of 1857 impact Mexico?

It enshrined liberal reforms, including religious freedom, civil liberties, and a federal government structure, but also sparked resistance from conservatives and the Catholic Church.

While the reforms faced fierce opposition, leading to civil war and foreign intervention, they ultimately prevailed, shaping Mexico’s legal and social framework.

What was the War of Reform (1858–1860)?

A civil war between liberals, led by Benito Juárez, who supported the Constitution of 1857, and conservatives, who opposed the reforms and sought to restore the Church’s influence.

How did La Reforma affect the Catholic Church?

It stripped the Church of its extensive landholdings, abolished religious courts, secularized education, and removed the clergy’s role in civil matters like marriage and burials.

What role did Benito Juárez play in La Reforma?

As a key liberal leader and later president, Juárez enforced the reform laws, fought conservative resistance, and defended Mexico’s sovereignty during foreign intervention.

How did the French intervention (1862–1867) relate to La Reforma?

Conservatives invited Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg to rule Mexico, hoping to reverse the reforms, but he upheld many liberal policies. Juárez ultimately defeated the empire.

What was the impact of La Reforma on Indigenous communities?

While it aimed to integrate Indigenous people into national life as individual citizens, it also led to the loss of communal lands, benefiting wealthy landowners instead.

La Reforma is significant in Mexican history because it marked a decisive shift toward a secular, liberal state, weakened the Church’s dominance, and set the stage for modern Mexican governance and law.