Valentín Gómez Farías Nation Building

Introduction ●He was was Antonio de Santa Anna’s right-hand man. ●Served as vice-president of Mexico when Santa Anna came to power. ●Served as president during Santa Anna’s leave to fight in the Mexican-American war. ●Known for several social reforms that he passed. ●Earned the anger of the clergy and the rich by passing these reforms/

Reform ●Started with his term as vice-president. ●Influenced by the Enlightenment and its ideals: o Separation of Church and State (education) o Removal of mandatory payment of tithe. o Reduction of military size and suspension of privileges  Pushed for a citizen-run militia. o Regulations to allow clergy workers to return to normal life.

Backlash ●Lost appeal to conservative base. ●Angered clergy through his non secular reforms. ●Federal opposition to the powers granted to small towns. ●Anger from soldiers due to loss of privileges. ●Eventual coup d’etat staged by Santa Anna to regain control and reassert his power.

Sources 1.Dictionary of Mexican Rulers by Juana Vázquez-Gómez 2.Mexico's Crucial Century, : An Introduction by Colin M. Maclachlan; William H. Beezley 3. z_farias.htmlhttp:// z_farias.html 4. Gomez-Farias