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Celebrating Mexico's 1917 Constitution and the 1867 Siege of Queretaro

The Plano Histórico de la Ciudad de Querétaro provides a detailed illustration of Querétaro during two key moments in Mexican history: the Siege of Querétaro in 1867 and the revolutionary period leading to the 1917 Constitution. The map, created by order of Venustiano Carranza during the complex revolutionary years of 1916-1917, offers a retrospective look at the city during the fall of the Second Mexican Empire while also reflecting on how Querétaro had evolved over the intervening 50 years.

The 1867 siege marked the end of Emperor Maximilian I’s rule and the reaffirmation of the Republic under President Benito Juárez, while the 1917 Constitution represented the culmination of the Mexican Revolution and the establishment of a new social and legal order.

Venustiano Carranza played a crucial role in Mexican history between 1900 and 1920, becoming a central figure in the Mexican Revolution and the subsequent establishment of constitutional governance in the country. His political career began in the early 1900s as a supporter of President Porfirio Díaz, but he shifted toward reformist ideas, advocating for political change. By 1910, Carranza became governor of Coahuila, where he increasingly aligned himself with the revolutionary movement against Díaz.

In 1913, following the assassination of President Francisco I. Madero and the rise of Victoriano Huerta’s dictatorship, Carranza issued the Plan of Guadalupe, which called for the overthrow of Huerta and the restoration of constitutional order. As leader of the Constitutionalist Army, Carranza gathered support from key revolutionary figures such as Álvaro Obregón and eventually ousted Huerta in 1914.

After defeating Huerta, Carranza faced internal conflicts among the revolutionaries, particularly with Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. Despite these divisions, Carranza emerged victorious and convened the Constitutional Convention of 1916-1917 in Querétaro, which led to the drafting of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The new constitution, which included significant social and economic reforms, remains in effect today and marked a decisive break from the old Porfirian regime.

In 1917, Carranza was elected as Mexico’s president, serving until 1920, when he was assassinated while fleeing Mexico City, marking the end of his influence but leaving behind a lasting legacy in the form of the 1917 Constitution and the establishment of a constitutional republic in Mexico. 

Siege of Querétaro (1867)

The Siege of Querétaro was the decisive military event that ended the Second Mexican Empire and led to the capture and eventual execution of Emperor Maximilian I. Republican forces, led by Generals Mariano Escobedo and Ramón Corona, laid siege to the city for several weeks, culminating in the final battle on May 15, 1867. The map highlights key positions of both Imperial and Republican forces, including fortified locations, troop movements, and the locations where significant engagements took place. The fall of Querétaro and the subsequent execution of Maximilian in the city’s Cerro de las Campanas symbolized the triumph of the Mexican Republic and the end of European intervention in Mexico.

The Relevance of the Siege to the 1917 Constitution

The memory of the 1867 siege resonated strongly in 1917, as the city once again played a central role in shaping Mexico’s future. Venustiano Carranza’s decision to have the 1917 Constitutional Convention convene in Querétaro was not coincidental. By choosing the city where Republican forces had secured a critical victory 50 years earlier, Carranza sought to draw a symbolic connection between the restoration of republican governance in 1867 and the revolutionary struggle for a new constitution in 1917. The 1917 Constitution was intended to build on the 1857 Constitution, with significant expansions addressing social, economic, and labor rights—issues that had sparked the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

Historical Places Highlighted on the Map 

1. Avenida Hidalgo (No. 34 & 36):
   Locations of important headquarters for the Constitutionalist government in 1916-1917, including residences linked to the drafting of the 1917 Constitution.

2. Avenida del 16 de Septiembre (No. 55 & 57):
   Sites of meetings for the Constitutional Assembly and Carranza’s provisional residence during the period.

3. Avenida del Ejército Republicano:
   Pathways and locations used by Republican forces during the 1867 siege.

4. Avenida de la Libertad (No. 17 & 18):
   Locations linked to key moments during the 1867 siege and gatherings of independence conspirators in 1810.

5. Avenida de la Revolución (No. 23 & 24):
   Residences of Maximilian’s generals during the 1867 siege and scenes of key battles.

6. Calle del 5 de Mayo (No. 13 & 14):
   Residences of Generals involved in both the 1867 siege and revolutionary activities leading to the 1917 Constitution.

7. Calle de Independencia (No. 19 & 20):
   Historical spots linked to the 1810 Independence movement and the 1867 siege.

8. Calle de Juárez (No. VII):
   Site of treaty negotiations during the Mexican-American War and significant actions during the Reform period.

9. Calle de Allende:
   Important administrative buildings from the Constitutional Assembly and locations tied to revolutionary events.

10. Avenida Reforma (No. 22):
    The prison where Maximilian and his generals were held before their execution.

11. Jardín Zenea:
    Execution site for prominent figures from the 1867 siege, including Generals Ramón Méndez and Miramón.

12. Cerro de las Campanas:
    The location of Emperor Maximilian’s capture and execution in 1867.

The map serves as both a historical record and a piece of revolutionary propaganda, highlighting Querétaro’s importance as a place where Mexico’s political and social transformations took place. Through this map, Carranza not only celebrated the 1917 Constitution but also linked his government’s legitimacy to the historic republican victory in 1867, reinforcing the enduring legacy of Mexico’s struggle for sovereignty and constitutional rule.