Three Guarantees

Definition

The Three Guarantees was a decree issued in 1821 during the Mexican War of Independence that established the foundational principles for a new nation. This decree promised to uphold the unity of Mexico, ensure the independence from Spain, and maintain the Catholic Church's role within the state. The Three Guarantees played a crucial role in shaping the early political landscape of Mexico and had significant implications for Spanish North America as it transitioned into an independent state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Three Guarantees aimed to create a united Mexico under the rule of a constitutional monarchy, balancing interests between different social classes and factions.
2. The decree was initially well-received, leading to widespread support for independence from Spain among various groups, including royalists and revolutionaries.
3. It emphasized the importance of Catholicism as a unifying force in Mexican society, ensuring that religious practices remained integral to governance.
4. The Three Guarantees ultimately led to the establishment of Agustín de Iturbide as Emperor, although his reign was short-lived due to opposition from republican forces.
5. Despite its initial intent, the principles laid out in the Three Guarantees contributed to political instability in Mexico and were challenged by competing visions for the country's future.

Review Questions

• How did the Three Guarantees reflect the diverse interests of different groups during the Mexican War of Independence?
  • The Three Guarantees were crafted to unify various factions involved in the Mexican War of Independence by promising an independent Mexico that respected both royalist and revolutionary ideals. By emphasizing Catholicism, maintaining social hierarchies, and promoting national unity, it attempted to satisfy conservative elements while still appealing to those seeking independence from Spanish rule. This dual approach was essential in garnering widespread support for independence, showcasing how complex and multifaceted the independence movement was.
• Evaluate the impact of Agustín de Iturbide's leadership on the implementation of the Three Guarantees and subsequent events in Mexico.
  • Agustín de Iturbide's leadership significantly influenced how the Three Guarantees were put into practice. Initially celebrated for his role in securing independence, he declared himself Emperor of Mexico based on these principles. However, his governance faced immediate backlash due to autocratic tendencies and failure to address regional issues. This resulted in civil unrest and his eventual abdication, highlighting how even well-intentioned policies can lead to political challenges when not aligned with public sentiment.
• Analyze how the Three Guarantees affected Mexico's political landscape in its early years as an independent nation and its implications for Spanish North America.
  • The Three Guarantees fundamentally altered Mexico's political landscape by establishing a framework for governance that attempted to balance power among varying factions. Its emphasis on unity, independence, and religion aimed to create stability but instead led to factional struggles and power vacuums after Iturbide's fall. This political instability not only impacted Mexico's governance but also influenced neighboring regions in Spanish North America, where similar struggles for autonomy and identity emerged as former colonies sought their own paths following Spain's decline.

Related terms

Agustín de Iturbide:

The leader of the Mexican independence movement who played a key role in formulating the Three Guarantees and later became the Emperor of Mexico.

Mexican War of Independence: A conflict that lasted from 1810 to 1821, where various factions sought to free Mexico from Spanish colonial rule, culminating in the establishment of the independent nation.

Plan of Iguala: A political manifesto that outlined the goals of the Mexican independence movement, including the principles that would later be codified in the Three Guarantees.