The 1855 takeover of the government by the liberals began a period known as La Reforma, in which liberal leaders
sought to reduce the power of the church and the military in Mexican politics and society. Later that year President Álvarez
was replaced by Ignacio Comonfort, a liberal who sought a more gradual pace of reform. In 1857 the liberals enacted a new
constitution, which reestablished a federal form of government. It provided for individual rights, universal male suffrage,
freedom of speech, and other civil liberties. The constitution also abolished special courts for members of the military or
clergy, and ordered the church and other institutions to auction off any land or buildings not absolutely necessary for their
operation.
Mexican Constitution
Carranza called for a constitutional convention, which met in Querétaro in 1917 to draft a new constitution. Many of
the delegates shared Carranza’a belief that political reform combined with some minor social reforms were all that the
country needed. Others insisted that social issues needed more attention. In the end, the document that emerged was clearly
more radical than the president desired.
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