Chapter 7.3 Mexican Independence

By the end of the 1700s, colonists had learned to solve their own problems rather than wait for direction from Spain. They felt the king lived too far away to understand their needs in Texas. Colonists Unhappy With Spain

Spain began charging colonists heavy taxes to pay for wars with England & France. Spain also withdrew its support of the missions. Heavy Taxes

Colonists were also upset that the Spanish king had placed Peninsulares (Colonists born in Spain) as the top social class. Social Class

Why were the colonists of Texas angry with the Spanish king? Timed Pair Share

In the 1700s, the Enlightenment movement of Europe challenged the idea that kings had a God-given right to rule. The Enlightenment

People began to believe that if a government failed to support its people’s rights, it should be replaced. The success of the American & French revolutions reinforced these ideas among Mexicans. The Enlightenment

Influenced by the Enlightenment, Father Hidalgo concluded that as long as the king of Spain was in charge, conditions for Mexicans would never improve. Father Miguel Hidalgo

On September 16, 1810, Father Hidalgo gave a speech called the “ Grito de Dolores”, where he called for Mexicans to fight for independence. Although the Spanish executed him in 1811, his ideas greatly affected the future of Mexico & Texas. Grito de Dolores

On August 24, 1821, a treaty was signed that made Mexico independent from Spain. Texas was now part of the new Republic of Mexico. Mexican Independence

“Mexicans, let us break the bonds of slavery with which we have been bound for three centuries!” Ironically, once Mexico gained its independence in 1821, slavery was still legal. Irony of Mexican Independence