Mexican-War-of-Independence-History-and-Timeline

Mexican War of Independence: History and Timeline

Mexican war of independence was an armed revolt between Mexico and Spain. The uprising lasted between 1808 to 1821, and led to Mexico’s independence from Spain. Since then, Mexico became home to many great civilizations like the Aztecs. Moreover, all these civilizations flourished. 

 

In addition, the Aztec civilization was the last great civilization Spanish arrived, who ruled until 1521. In 1521, Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortez took over the Aztecs, and Mexico became a Spanish colony. Spain ruled Mexico for 300 years until the early 1800s. 

 

The Mexican war of independence started as a peasant rebellion against colonial masters. In 1821, Mexico defeated Spain and finally gained independence. 

 

The heroes of the Mexican war of independence were Augustin de Iturbide and General Antonio Lopez.

 

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Background

A colonial kingdom, New Spain, was founded after the Spanish conquest over the Aztec people. New Spain consisted of Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Central America, Costa Rica, as well as Florida, and the Philippines. 

 

Moreover, Hernan Cortez conquered the Aztecs and turned it into the largest Spanish colony- New Spain. Territories of nomads were hard to conquer. Therefore, the Spanish colony inclined more to populated areas. 

 

It is because dense populations produced Pre-Columbian civilizations. The northern area of Mexico consisted of a region of nomadic and semi-nomadic people. After the discovery of silver in Zacatecas, it drew settlements there to exploit the mines. 

 

In addition, silver mining vastly enriched Spain and transformed the global economy. Spain had tremendous power over New Spain, including proprietary rights.

 

After the Mexican war of independence, New Spain lost parts of its territories, but the core area remained under Spanish control. After New Spain dissolved, it became modern Mexico and Central America. 

 

First Group- Spaniards

It was the most powerful group, and only Spaniards could obtain high-level jobs in the colonial government. They were the people born in Spain and sent to the Atlantic to rule.

 

Second Group- Creoles

Creoles were Spanish people born in Mexico. Moreover, they were prosperous landowners and merchants. 

 

Third Group- Mestizos

The Mestizos were ancestors of Spanish and Indians. The word Mestizos means “mixed.” Mestizos had a lower position compared to Spaniards and Creoles and were looked upon. 

 

Fourth Group- Indians

The fourth group was the Indians and considered as the poorest a most marginalized group in New Spain. Hence, they had fewer powers and suffered harsher conditions than other groups.  

 

In addition, Indians were forced to work as labourers on the farms of the Spaniards and Creoles.

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Racial Division

The New Spain population was divided into four groups or classes. Racial background and birthplace were the basis on which person belonged to a specific group or class. And Hispanic elites created this kind of division. 

 

Evidently, the system of castes (race classification) was more than socio-racial classification. Therefore, it had effects visible in economics and taxation as well. 

 

Many wealthy persons and government officials were of peninsular (Iberian) and/or European background. Whereas African or dark skin generally correlated with inferiority and poverty. The “whiter” meant more opportunity and high status; conversely, darker features meant less opportunity.

 

Culture and Economy

 

Mexico was the colony that provided more than half of the Empire taxes and supported North and Central American administrations. Competition of any kind with Spain was discouraged, like the cultivation of grapes and olives introduced by Hernan Cortez.

 

Education was of prime importance in New Spain, and Mexico consisted of a significant educational background.

  • First primary school (Texcoco, 1523), 
  • the first university, the University of Mexico (1551) and 
  • The first printing press (1524) of the Americas.

 

In addition, varied languages were included by the religious orders during the first centuries. However, the languages were outlawed and ignored after independence by the prevailing Spanish creoles.

 

But the collaboration between indigenous and Spanish culture gave birth to many of the Mexican staple and cultural traits. For instance,

  • tequila (since the 16th century),
  • mariachi (18th), 
  • barrage (17th),
  • churros (17th) and 
  • the highly prized Mexican cuisine, the fruit of the mixture of European and indigenous ingredients.

 

Many native people believed that Mexico should become independent of Spain. Hence, the Mexican war of independence took place. Therefore, came the man who finally touched off the revolt against Spain. It was Catholic priest Father Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla. He is also known as the Father of Mexican Independence.

 

Beginning of the Mexican War of Independence

The war extended from the Grito de Dolores by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810. And, it continued upto the entrance of Three Guarantees led by Augustín de Iturbide to Mexico City. 

 

Mexican Independence day is celebrated on September 16. The age of Enlightenment inspired the Mexican war of independence and revolutions of the last 18th century. Moreover, Europe’s political events had various effects on parts of Spanish America. 

 

The council of Mexico City, supported by viceroy José de Iturrigaray, claimed the crown in the king’s absence. Also, they were supported by viceroy José de Iturrigaray. Eventually, it led to a revolt against the ruler, and the movement leaders were jailed.

 

After that, a group of conspirators met in various cities of New Spain to raise a movement against Spain’s rule. The conspirators and indigenous inhabitants of Dolores (Guanajuato) chose to take up arms on September 16. 

 

Hidalgo Revolt

 

Miguel Hidalgo hosted secret gatherings in his home to discuss whether to obey or revolt against the Spanish government. Finally, in 1810, Hidalgo decided that a revolt was needed due to the injustices suffered by the poor of Mexico. 

 

Moreover, Hidalgo was a top theologian and became a priest of Dolores after his brother died. After that, on September 15, 1810, they discovered their conspiracy had been known to the colonial government. So Hidalgo gathered a mob of 600 men within few minutes. They were known as “Cry of Dolores.” 

 

He got immense support from the liberals, intellectuals, and poor people. In addition, Indians and Mestizos also joined his war.

By this time, the rebels numbered 30,000, and the battle was deadly. More than 500 Spanish and creoles were killed.

 

Finally, they were captured by the Spanish army in Coahuila at the Wells of Baján. All of the revolt leaders were found guilty and sentenced to death, except for Mariano Abasolo. Hidalgo was eventually stripped of his priesthood, found guilty, and executed on July 30, 1811.

 

Moreover, the heads of Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama, and Jiménez hung from the four corners of the granary. It was a symbol of warning to those who dared to revolt and a sign of victory for the Spanish government.

 

Legacy of the Hidalgo Revolt

Hidalgo is remembered as the father of the country, Mexico. In addition, he influenced great revolutionary heroes through his bravery. He was the first voice against the Spanish authority and his achievements are insignificant. 

 

But his poor army and his leadership decisions were the major cause of his defeat. Hidalgo’s body lies in Mexico’s monument known as “the Angel of Independence” with other revolutionary heroes.

 

After the death of Hidalgo, Jose Maria Morelos resumed the leadership of the revolutionary army. 

 

Winning Independence

A military captain, Agustín de Iturbide, led a conservative group of rebels against the Spanish. In addition, he helped Hidalgo previously during the revolt. At last, Iturbide formed the Plan of Iguala in the final stage of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. 

 

The signing of the Treaty of Córdoba On August 24, 1821, finally recognized Mexico’s independence from Spain. It was led by none other than Iturbide himself.

 

Mexican Celebrations

The anniversary of Grito de Dolores has been a day of celebration across Mexico since the late 19th century. The gusted holiday begins on September 15 after the reenactment of Hidalgo’s speech by the president and governor of each state. 

 

The activities in the day include parades, bullfights, rodeos, and traditional dancing.

 

Timeline of Mexican War of Independence

Below is a list of the timeline of Mexican independence of Spain and the events that culminated into a revolt.

 

BCE

 

  • 1000– Formation of Mayan Civilization

 

CE

 

  • 1000- Mayan’s culture Southern cities begin to collapse

 

  • 1200– Aztecs arrives in Mexico 

 

  • 1325- Aztecs discovered the city of Tenochtitlan

 

  • 1440- Montezuma I becomes the ruler of the Aztec empire

 

  • 1517- Hernan Cortez explores Spanish shores

 

  • 1521- Hernan Cortez defeats Aztecs and claims Spain’s land

 

  • 1600- Spain conquers Mexico and establishes New Spain

 

  • 1810– Mexican war of independence begins led by Miguel Hidalgo

 

  • 1811– Miguel Hidalgo captured and executed by the Spanish

 

  • 1821– Mexican war of independence ends

 

  • 1822- Augustin de Iturbide becomes the first emperor of Mexico