1. World Studies February 17
Mexican Independence
World Studies
February 17

2. I. Mexico struggled for freedom
Mexico’s independence movement was led by natives
Grows from the countryside rather than the cities
In 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo led peasants to march 200 miles
Gathered more and more people as they went
Had 60,000 by the time they reached Mexico City
Creole landlords fled and Hidalgo declared an end to slavery
Spanish gather their forces against Hidalgo
Some one betrays him and he is executed

3. September 16, 1810 – Grito de Dolores

4. Jose Maria Morelos takes up the cause after Hidalgo’s death
By 1813 controls most of Mexico
Wanted democracy, taxation, land distribution
Creoles supported independence, but not social reform
Augustin de Iturbide (Mestizo member of the Spanish army) executed Morelos in 1815

5. Morelos and Iturbide

6. In 1820 Spain’s government changed; creoles feared losing their privileges
Iturbide united creoles with the peasant groups for independence
Declared independence in 1821
Iturbide tried to make himself emperor twice, but was finally killed

7. Turmoil and Change in Mexico
World Studies
February 17

8. I. Caudillos dominated governments
By 1830 there were 16 independent countries in Latin America
There were still social distinctions and few rights for those at bottom
Most countries were run by caudillos (military dictators)

9. II. Mexican-American War
Texas declared itself a republic
Unhappy with Mexico’s government
More & more US settlers moved in, so the US backed Texas
In 1846 the Mexican-American War begins
Ultimately Mexico loses nearly half its territory

10. Before Mexican-American War

11. After Mexican-American War

12. Remember the Alamo!

13. Began in 1855 under Benito Juarez.
III. La Reforma
Began in 1855 under Benito Juarez.
Revised the constitution, took power from the Catholic Church & made more land available to Mexicans
Became president in 1861
Spends most of his presidency fighting a civil war
Dies in 1872 w/o accomplishing all of his reforms

14. Benito Juarez

15. A war hero; he rises to power in 1876
IV. Porfirio Diaz
A war hero; he rises to power in 1876
Wins 7 rigged elections
Harsh dictator
Mexico developed substantially during his rule, but he allowed foreigners to build/own most of it

16. Poor remained very poor under Diaz
Often took out loans from hacienda (plantation) owners
Peonage kept them trapped there because it was impossible to pay back loans
Few were ever educated, worked long days, had very poor health

17. V. Mexican Revolution
In 1910 poor people started attacking & killing rich landowners
Bunches of small groups w local leaders
Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata
Revolution focused on changing:
Foreign ownership of businesses
Wealth of Catholic Church
Working conditions in the cities
Diaz fell, but no one had enough support to take his place
Civil war continued for nearly a decade

18. VI. Reform In 1917 Venustiano Carranza took power
Wrote up a constitution that addressed all the complaints of the people
Then he ignored it & was mean
Rebellion continued and he was overthrown in 1920
Alvaro Obregon followed in late 1920
He actually enacted the constitution
Land was redistributed, schools were established, etc
Poverty and corruption continue, but stability had arrived

19. Carranza and Obregon