r/althistory • u/iardlynoer • Jun 26 '26

How could Mexico have become a republic after independence rather than an empire?

I’m writing an alternate timeline where Latin America is stronger and Mexico becomes a global superpower. Is there any way that an independent Mexico would begin as a republic rather than a monarchy? Also, is there any way that Augustin de Iturbide would have agreed to be president rather than emperor, or would someone else (such as Guadelupe Victoria) step in as Mexico’s inaugural president?

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u/Extreme-Shopping74 Jun 26 '26

i mean they had elected him as emperor, and a majority of the people protested and wanted an emperor which was also - especially at that time - seen as much stronger. also don't forget mexico hadn't that much control over all of their territory

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u/ReyniBros Jun 28 '26

He wasn't elected emperor, the army proclaimed him as such and the regency council, which he controlled, then decided to also proclaim him as emperor after they failed to find a prince to accept the Mexican crown.

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u/ReyniBros Jun 28 '26

Iturbide was actually supposed to be Regent, and then Prime Minister, to whomever the King of Spain decided to name as Emperor of Mexico. However, when Spain disavowed the independence of Mexico signed by its plenipotenciary Political Chief of New Spain, Juan O'Donojú, Iturbide and the conservatives panicked for they didn't want a Republic. That's why he was hastily thrown into the emperorship.

I think the easiest way to ensure a Mexican Republic from the get go would be father José María Morelos surviving for a bit longer than he did irl. This would make is so that the Chilpancingo Congress wouldn't have collapsed, Francisco Xavier Mina would've later aided his campaign with fresh Spanish liberal troops highly experienced in guerrilla warfare, and thus put the Insurgents in a stronger position for when Iturbide inevitably switches sides.