Mexican independence 1810-1821

Mexican independence This is an image of Father Miguel Hidalgo- the leader of the initial Mexican independence movement Notice the “Virgin of Guadeloupe” on the banner, the “patron saint” of Mexican Indians

Miguel hidalgo The Enlightenment had spread to the Creoles of New Spain, who were frustrated with Bourbon Reforms Ferdinand VII is replaced by Joseph Bonaparte, leadership in the colonies is questioned, which led to a coup against the viceroy in Mexico City (unsuccessful) This coup inspired others to rebel and leaders met to plot rebellion – the plan was discovered. Priest Miguel Hidalgo summoned his parishioners to his church and encouraged them to revolt (“Grito de Dolores” – a cry for independence in the name of Ferdinand VII) * they began to rob, loot and kill whites * revolt was seen as a race war, not a rebellion against Spain

Defeat Rebel army (around 80,000) moved on to Mexico City, where colonial and Spanish forces attacked – by 1811 Hidalgo’s army was defeated near Guadalajara Hidalgo was captured, forced to face the Inquisition (for the 2nd time!), and then shot Hidalgo is seen as the “Father of Mexico”, but: - his revolt did more to delay independence than secure it - he led an ethnic-class rebellion rather than a war of liberation (alienating majority of Creoles)

Jose maria morelos Led the rebels after Hidalgo’s death (his army was much better organized, skilled and well-equipped than Hidalgo’s) He organized a congress in 1813 that called for: - land redistribution - end to social discrimination - end to tributes - abolition of slavery Morelos was quickly defeated by royalists (captured and killed in 1815)

Agustin iturbide Vicente Guerrero led the Mexican independence movement after Morelos died, but problems such as rebel attacks, high taxes and the liberal Spanish Constitution of 1812 kept many Mexicans from joining the movement Colonial government sent in Agustin Iturbide to fight Guerrero’s army (also fought against Hidalgo and Morelos) Iturbide instead formed an alliance with Guerrero against the Spanish government (issued Plan of Iguala – designed to appeal to as many Mexicans as possible) Negotiated an independence treaty with new viceroy in 1821, brought his army into Mexico City and the Spanish surrendered – Mexico formally declared independence

Mexican Independence leaders Hidalgo (1810-1811) Morelos (1811-1815) Guerrero (1815-1820) Iturbide (1820-1821)