Mexico’s Fight for Independence

New Spain(Modern Day Mexico and Central America) was one of Spain's

most profitable Colonies

Issues in New Spain early 1800’s• Creoles want full equality of the peninsulares– Merchants wanted open trade with other nations

• Could only trade with spain

• Meztizo working class- Mines & farming wanted better wages– Angry- at elite land owners controlling food prices– Elite would hold onto suplies of food until hit max price

• The Indigenous and Mullatos want end to Tribute– Tax paid to large land owners and the gov

• Small slave population wants freedom

Situation in Spain

• 1808-1810 Napoleon takes control of Spain – Creole elites take this opportunity to fight for

independence – They fear Napoleons liberal government will take

their rights– They “claimed” to fight for King Ferdinand VII

Initial uprising

• Centered in Queretaro Group of middle and upper-class creoles planned a revolt– needed support of masses so

sympathized with demands of the Indigenous and mestizo.

– Father Miguel Hidalgo(creole) had influence to recruit the masses

• Spanish Authorities began to arrest rebel conspiritors

Father Miguel Hidalgos Revolt• Grito de Dolores- Sept 16th 1810 Hidalgo gathered his parishioners

declared New Spain free from the Spanish Crown• The mod went on to take control of the city• By Sept 28 took key city of Guanajuato

– Killed many Spaniards– Attacked may business( most owned by Creoles)– Opened to Grain storage for the poor

Fear in Hidalgo’s Revolution

• Hidalgo’s army fought for the right of the poor• Creole elites wanted freedom not a class and race revolution• Hidalgo’s goals

– Independence from Spain– End of Slavery– End of tribute– More equality for all social classes– No forced labor– Better wages

• These changes would take power from Creole elites

Hidalgo’s Peasant Army

• His soldiers began to take vengeance on both Spaniards and Creole elites

• His forces were unable to take Mexico City and were driven north

• By Summer of 1811 Hidalgo and his leaders were captured and executed

Jose Maria Morelos• Morelos was a Priest who

continued the fight of Hidalgo– mestizo– His forces centered south of Mexico

CityHis goals were the same as Hidalgos-Independence from Spain, End of Slavery, End of tribute, equality for all social classes, No forced labor, Better wages

• He worked to gain more support of some Creole Elites( some views were too radical

• His forces were centered in the state of Oaxaca

• His use of Guerrilla tactics were very effective

National Congress of Chilpancingo1813• Created a Congress inviting

many creole revolutionaries– Set himself as chief executive– Created a Judicial and Legislative

Branch– Enacted many of the social

changes he planned• Congress only had control of

southern territories he controlled

• Congress did not have a stable home

The Down Fall of Morelos

1. Lost battles to royalist forces using traditional war methods

2. Some of his changes too radical to gain full Creole support

-Many fought against him3. 1814 King Ferdinand VII regains power in Spain

-More Spanish troops are sent to stop Rebellion in New SpainIn 1815 Morelos is captured, put on trial, and executed 12/22

1815-1820 Guerrilla fighting continued• fighting against Royalists

continued with no central Organization

• Vicente Guerrero Continued a Guerrilla campaign against Royalist forces in Oaxaca(Southern Mexico)– Mix Creole, Indigenous, Black

• The Cost of fighting, high taxes, and mistreatment of Creoles by Spain began to anger the elites

Creole Elites Take Control of the Revolution• 1820 Spanish King Ferdinand VII was

deposed(temporily)• New Spanish Gov enacted liberal Constitution– This would take some rights from the Creole elite

• Augustine Iturbide-Royalist Creole– Feared losing power and used this as an excuse to rebel– Switched sidesto join– Revolutionary• (Ironic- joined rebels to keep creole elite control)

Opposites CombineIturbide asked Guerrero to join in support

Guerrero(Liberal)• Independence from Spain• Catholic Church• Representative Republic• Liberal social reforms of

Hidalgo

Iturbide(Conservative)• Independence from Spain• Catholic Church• Monarchy• Equality of peninsulares and

creoles

Mexico is Free• Aug 24, 1821 Treaty of

Cordoba Signed- The Mexican Empire was declared independent

• The combined forces enter Mexico City Minimal resistance

• Iturbide is crowned Emperor– Short lived He steps down from

power– A Republican government is

formed• Name Mexico comes from the

name of the Aztecs MEXICA.