Revolt of the Polkos

Revolt of the Polkos
Part of Mexican–American War
Combats in front of "La Profesa" church
Date February 26 – March 23, 1847 Location Mexico City, Mexico Result President Valentin Gomez Farias is deposed.
Belligerents
Mexico (Rebels)	Mexico (Government)
Commanders and leaders
Matías Peña y Barragán José Mariano Salas Pedro María de Anaya	Valentín Gómez Farías Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

The Revolt of the Polkos was a coup d'état in Mexico that was launched on February 27, 1847, during the Mexican-American War. The coup was initiated by militias stationed at the Mexican capital with the aim of overthrowing President Valentin Gomez Farias. It would eventually succeed, and Gomez Farias was replaced by Pedro María de Anaya.

It was the second successful coup that Mexico experienced during the Mexican-American War, and Gomez Farias himself had ascended to the presidency in the aftermath of the fall of President Mariano Paredes, who was overthrown in August 1846 for his poor handling of the war. It was also the second non-consecutive time that Gomez Farias was serving as President of Mexico. He had been president in 1833 during which he had attempted to pass many anti-clerical measures.

As the government was struggling to finance the war, the Gomez Farias administration in January, 1847 decided upon nationalizing church lands and selling them to the amount of fifteen million pesos. The measure was met with difficulties and controversy, with conservatives fearing the revival of the 1833 anticlerical campaign, and moderate liberals questioning the effectiveness of such a controversial decree. Violent resistance throughout the country began in January, but it was not until February 27 that the Revolt of the Polkos broke out in the capital. Polkos was a term used to refer to the middle class professionals that made up the militias involved in the revolt.

Meanwhile Santa Anna was returning to Mexico City from the Battle of Buena Vista to focus on Winfield Scott's expedition at Veracruz. He received news of the revolt en route, and eventually took the role of arbitrator, siding with the rebels and deposing Gomez Farias.