Republic of Yucatan | ||||||||||
República de Yucatán | ||||||||||
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Capital | Mérida | |||||||||
Languages |
Spanish (de facto) Maya |
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Religion | Roman Catholic | |||||||||
Government | Republic | |||||||||
President | ||||||||||
• | 1840 - 1841 | Santiago Méndez | ||||||||
• | 1841 - 1842 | Miguel Barbachano | ||||||||
• | 1842 - 1842 | Santiago Méndez | ||||||||
• | 1842 - 1843 | Miguel Barbachano | ||||||||
• | 1843 - 1844 | Santiago Méndez | ||||||||
• | 1844 - 1844 | Miguel Barbachano | ||||||||
• | 1844 - 1846 | José Tiburcio | ||||||||
• | 1846 - 1847 | Miguel Barbachano | ||||||||
• | 1847 - 1847 | Domingo Barret | ||||||||
History | ||||||||||
• | Independence | March 16, 1841 | ||||||||
• | Disestablished | July 14, 1848 | ||||||||
Area | ||||||||||
• | 1841 | 139,426 km² (53,833 sq mi) | ||||||||
Population | ||||||||||
• | 1841 est. | 504,600 | ||||||||
Density | 3.6 /km² (9.4 /sq mi) | |||||||||
Currency | Mexican Peso ($) | |||||||||
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Today part of |
Mexico Belize |
The Republic of Yucatán (Spanish: República de Yucatán) was a sovereign state during two periods of the nineteenth century. The first Republic of Yucatán, founded May 29, 1823, willingly joined the Mexican federation as the Federated Republic of Yucatán on December 23, 1823, less than seven months later. The second Republic of Yucatán began in 1841, with its declaration of independence from the Mexican Federation. It remained independent for seven years, after which it rejoined the Mexican Federation. The area of the former republic includes the modern Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo. The Republic of Yucatán usually refers to the Second Republic (1841–1848).
The Republic of Yucatán was governed by the Constitution of 1841, one of the most advanced of its time. It guaranteed individual rights, religious freedom and what was then a new legal form called amparo (English: protection). The 1847 Caste War caused the Republic of Yucatán to request military aid from Mexico. This was given on the condition that the Republic rejoin the Mexican Federation.
In 1617, Yucatán was administered as a Captaincy General of New Spain. Its geographical position gave it some autonomy. During the Spanish Viceroyalty, the province and captaincy of Yucatán covered the current territories of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Yucatán, plus, nominally, the northern territories of the Petén and the territory that is currently Belize. In 1786, the Spanish Crown implemented the system of Intendencias and the territory changed its name to Intendency of Yucatán, which included the same territories.