Mexico Ratifies Revolutionary Constitution of 1917

Summary

After years of revolution and civil war that began in 1910, Mexico's Constituent Congress approved the new Political Constitution of the United Mexican States on February 5, 1917, in Querétaro. President Venustiano Carranza proclaimed the document, which incorporated demands for land reform, workers' rights, separation of church and state, and restrictions on foreign ownership of resources. It succeeded the 1857 constitution and addressed inequalities from the Porfiriato era. The constitution established a framework for a secular, socially progressive republic with strong federal powers. Ratification occurred amid ongoing conflicts with revolutionary factions.

Why It Matters

The 1917 Mexican Constitution institutionalized many goals of the Mexican Revolution, influencing land redistribution, labor laws, and church-state relations for decades. It remains Mexico's foundational legal document, amended over time but central to national identity and governance. Its progressive articles inspired similar reforms in Latin America and shaped international perceptions of post-revolutionary Mexico.

Sources

1. Constitution of Mexico, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-07-08.