The Central Republic in Mexico, 1835-1846 'Hombres de Bien' in the Age of Santa Anna

Costeloe explores the characters of the political leaders who decided to abandon federalism, the policies they introduced, the pressures they faced, and their failure to bring about political and economic stability.

Much of the so-called Age of Santa Anna in the history of independent Mexico remains a mystery and no decade is less well understood than the years from 1835 to 1846. In 1834, the ruling elite of middle class hombres de bien concluded that a highly centralised republican government was the only solution to the turmoil and factionalism that had characterised the new nation since its emancipation from Spain in 1821. The central republic was thus set up in 1835, but once again civil strife, economic stagnation, and military coups prevailed until 1846, when a disastrous war with the United States began in which Mexico was to lose half of its national territory. This study explains the course of events and analyses why centralism failed, the issues and personalities involved, and the underlying pressures of economic and social change.

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. An introduction; 2. The end of federalism; 3. The transition to centralism: stage I; 4. The transition to centralism: stage II; 5. Las Siete Leyes; 6. Anastasio Bustamante and the centralist republic, 1837–9; 7. Santa Anna versus Bustamante: the end of the Siete Leyes, 1839–41; 8. 'La dictadur disfrazada con el hermoso nombre de regeneración política'; 9. Santa Anna and the Bases Orgánicas; 10. 'La revolución de tres horas'; 11. Herrera and the rise of Paredes y Arrillaga; 12. Hombres de bien and the restoration of federalism; Conclusion; Sources and works cited.

Much of the history of independent Mexico remains a mystery and no decade is less well understood than 1835 to 1846. Costeloe explores this period and analyses the issues and personalities involved.