First Mexican Empire

The Mexican Empire (Spanish: Imperio Mexicano, pronounced [imˈpeɾjo mexiˈkano] ^ⓘ) was a constitutional monarchy, the first independent government of Mexico and the only former colony of the Spanish Empire to establish a monarchy after independence. It is one of the few modern-era, independent monarchies that have existed in the Americas, along with the long-lasting Empire of Brazil (1822–1889) and the ephemeral First Empire of Haiti (1804–1806). It is typically denominated as the First Mexican Empire to distinguish it from the Second Mexican Empire of Emperor Maximilian (1864–1867). Although Mexico became a republic in 1824, it did so only after the failure of the empire under former military officer Agustín de Iturbide, who ruled as Agustín I, the sole monarch of this first empire. Monarchy was the default position for independent Mexico, called for in the political Plan of Iguala drafted by Iturbide, which united forces fighting for independence from Spain. The last Spanish viceroy signed the Treaty of Córdoba in September 1821 and the plan for monarchy in independent Mexico moved forward. Iturbide's popularity culminated in mass demonstrations on 18 May 1822, in favor of making him emperor of the new nation in the absence of any European royal agreeing to assume the throne. Congress approved the proposal and a sumptuous coronation ceremony followed in July 1822.

The empire was plagued throughout its short existence by questions about its legality, conflicts between congress and the emperor, and a bankrupt treasury. Iturbide dissolved the congress in October 1822, replacing it with a junta of supporters. By December of that year, Iturbide had begun to lose support of the army, which revolted in favor of restoring congress. After failing to suppress the revolt, Iturbide reconvened congress in March 1823 and offered his abdication. Power then passed to a provisional government which abolished the monarchy and created the Mexican republic.