Mexico (Cromwell the Great)

Mexico (Nahuatl languages: Mēxihco), officially the United Mexican States (Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos) is a federal republic in the southernmost portion of North America. It was the former Spanish Empire's Viceroyalty of New Spain.

It is bordered to the north by California, Louisiana, and Tejas; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Yucatan and Central America and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.

Mexico's political regime has changed varios times from a monarchy (1820-1848), republic (1848-1849), monarchy (1849-1860) and republic (1860 to date). It as also lost, from its initial territorial extension when it covered the majority of the previous viceroyalty of New Spain, large swaths of land that were later lost in civil wars at its northern (California, Tejas) and southern (Yucatan) limits.

History
The history of Mexico distinguishes four periods according to its form of government: a) Mexican Empire (from its independence in 1820 to 1848) b) First Mexican Republic (1848-1849) c) Restoration of the Mexican Empire (1849-1860) d) Second Mexican Republic (1860 to date)

Mexican Empire 1820 to 1848)
The Mexican Empire is the first independent post-colonial state in Mexico from 1820 to 1848. It was the only former colony of the Spanish Empire to establish a monarchy after independence together with the Brazilian Empire, it was one of two European-style empires in the Americas.

The First Empire (1820-1848) was a consent between the governing land owning elites, the army and mercantiles interests. There was a fear of peasant revolt, had it happen in initial stages of the independence, and the uncertainty of the acceptance of Spain of Mexican self government. All these led to the proclamation of the Empire as a solution. However differences on the powers and role of the Emperor and Congress pushed the former to govern in an Enlightenment Despotic policy that divided between its allies (conservatives) and opposition (liberals). A diving issue was federalism espoused by liberals disowned by the Emperor and conservatives. Several liberal provincial chiefs rose in arms in the First War of the Reforms (1829-1830) after Agustin I dissolved Congress and removed annoying liberal governors and army officials. Liberals were only successful in California, Tejas and Yucatan that declared their independence, the former two helped by Louisiana that seeked to weaken Mexican influence north of the Rio Grande.

The Second War of the Reforms (1847-1848) united the opposition to the Agustin II, and included reformist conservatives besides liberals of all sorts.

Imperial Government
The Imperial Constitution of 1831 established a constitutional monarchy. The Emperor ha the power to declare war (and make peace), represent the Empire abroad, conclude treaties and alliances, and accredit and receive ambassadors. He convened the National Congress, propose laws and appointed the council of ministers which he presided. Also appointed imperial officials, governors of the provinces and counties, imperial judges and army and naval officers. The first constitution of 1821 was suspended in 1828 and replaced with Imperial Statute of the same year until the Imperial Constitution of 1831.

Administratively the Empire is divided in provinces and counties. All governors are named by the Emperor and are under the guidance and instructions of the Ministry of Governance.

Provinces

 * 1) Las Californias (until 1830) Current Republic of California
 * 2) Baja California (From 1830)
 * 3) México
 * 4) Nuevo México (part of California and Tejas)
 * 5) Tejas (until 1830) Current Republic of Tejas
 * 6) Chihuahua (from division of Nueva Vizcaya)
 * 7) Nueva Vizcaya (divided in Chihuahua and Durango)
 * 8) Coahuila (until 1830)
 * 9) Nuevo Reino de León
 * 10) Tamaulipas (former Nuevo Santander)
 * 11) Sonora y Sinaloa
 * 12) Zacatecas
 * 13) San Luis de Potosí
 * 14) Guanajuato
 * 15) Durango (from division of Nueva Vizcaya)
 * 16) Querétaro
 * 17) Puebla
 * 18) Guadalajara
 * 19) Oaxaca
 * 20) Mérida de Yucatán (until 1830) Current Republic of Yucatan
 * 21) Michoacán (former Valladolid)
 * 22) Veracruz
 * 23) Tabasco (1830 from Mérida de Yucatán)
 * 24) Chiapas (rejoined Central America)