Not all states followed the federal model. Under the Civil Code of 1870,
any of the following were considered valid causes for divorce: (a) adultery by
one of the spouses; (b) intent to prostitute the wife; (c) corruption of minor
children; (d) abandonment of the conjugal domicile for over two years; (e)
cruel treatment; (f) incitement of violence; or (g) commitment of a crime. The
codes of both Veracruz and Oaxaca included provisions that castigated extramarital affairs in much broader terms. In Veracruz, for example, either an
extramarital affair that is made public or even an accusation of adultery could
give rise to divorce. In Oaxaca, any violation of the marriage oath was considered to be valid grounds for divorce. Both states added additional causes
for divorce, including incurable and hereditary contagious chronic diseases.
One factor behind these widely divergent family law statutes was the constitutional “ambiguity” of the federal government’s civil code. Under the
Constitution, the federal government lacked explicit power to pass civil legislation, as there was an implicit understanding that states had exclusive juridiction in civil law matters. Only in the Federal District and territories did the
federal government retain full and exclusive legislative powers. In addition,
the nation’s move toward independence empowered the executive branch to
limit the Church’s influence, thereby broadening its influence over family law.
In light of these changes, family institutions became secularized, marriage
became a civil act.113 As a result of these developments, the scope of federal
jurisdiction in family law matters re-surfaced as a contentious issue.

### Language ###
English

### Assessment ###
The text mentions specific grounds for divorce under the Civil Code of 1870, which could be a straightforward information request.

### Query ###
What were the legal grounds for divorce in Mexico in 1870?
What were the legal grounds for divorce in Mexico in 1870?