Peasants, politics, and the formation of Mexico's national state : Guerrero, 1800-1857

This is a study of the role of peasants in the formation of the Mexican national state - from the end of the colonial era to the beginning of La Reforma, a moment in which liberalism became dominant in Mexican political culture. The book shows how Mexico's national political system was formed through local struggles and alliances that deeply involved elements of Mexico's impoverished rural masses, notably the peasants who took part in many of the local, regional, and national rebellions that characterised early-nineteenth-century politics. These rebellions were not battles over whether or not there was to be a state; they were contests over what the state was to be. The author focuses on the region of Guerrero, whose peasantry were deeply involved in the two most important broadly based revolts of the early nineteenth century: the War of Independence of 1810-21, and the 1853-55 Revolution of Ayutla, the rebellion that began La Reforma. 1. Society And Politics In Colonial Guerrero -- 2. The War Of Independence In Guerrero, 1808-1821 -- 3. State Formation In Republican Guerrero, 1820-1840 -- 4. National Politics And Local Social Movements In Guerrero, 1820-1840 -- 5. Guerrero In The 1840s: Peasant Rebellions And Elite Politics -- 6. The Revolution Of Ayutla And La Reforma. Peter F. Guardino. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (doctoral--university Of Chicago, 1992) Under Title: Peasants, Politics, And State Formation In 19th Century Mexico. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [275]-310) And Index. Abbreviations Introduction 1. Society and politics in colonial Guerrero 2. The War of Independence in Guerrero, 1808-1821 3. State formation in Republican Guerrero 1808-1840 4. National politics and local social movements in Guerrero, 1820-1840 5. Guerrero in the 1840s: peasant rebellions and elite politics 6. The revolution of Ayutla and La Reforma Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index. This is a study of the important but little-understood role of peasants in the formation of the Mexican national state-from the end of the colonial era to the beginning of La Reforma, a moment in which liberalism became dominant in Mexican political culture.