First Mexican Empire

The First Mexican Empire was the independent monarchy that emerged from the Mexican War of Independence. The Plan of Iguala, drafted by Agustin de Iturbide in 1821, proposed a constitutional monarchy, and after the Treaty of Cordoba and the entry of the insurgent army into Mexico City the empire was proclaimed. In May 1822 Iturbide was elected emperor as Agustin I and crowned in July; his rule extended from California to Central America, which was briefly annexed. The empire was troubled by disputes with Congress, a bankrupt treasury and provincial resistance. In December 1822 the army turned against him, and in March 1823 he abdicated; a republican provisional government abolished the monarchy and established the First Mexican Republic. The empire's brief life fixed the colours and symbols later adopted by the Mexican republic. Iturbide's government also faced the question of Central America, where the provinces briefly joined the empire before declaring independence in 1823, and Spain refused to recognise Mexican independence until 1836.