Title: 
Headings: 

Content: The Revolution
6. Mexico Since 1920
7. Theories of Mexicanidad



La Reforma
This era (1855-1876), initiated by the PLAN OF AYUTLA in March 1854, capped
      a long struggle between liberals and conservatives over the character of
      independent Mexico, individual rights were the cornerstone of a liberal
      program that also sought to subordinate the military to civilian authority
      and to remove the church from secular affairs. A parliamentary system and
      municipal autonomy within a federal government were favored to prevent
      a despotic central government and to guarantee individual liberties, while
      allowing local or state caudillos to retain their dominance. The reformers
      clashed with the military, Indian communities, and the Catholic church,
      which defended corporate structures and privileges. After coming to power in 1855, the liberals fought for their program
          through a decade of civil war and foreign intervention (1857-1867). Major reform
        measures established equality before the law (LEY JUAREZ, 1855); prohibited
        civil and ecclesiastical corporate ownership or administration of real
        estate (LEY LERDO, 1856), and nationalized virtually all other church
        wealth; regulated parish fees (LEY IGLESIAS); suppressed religious orders;