La Independencia de Mexico

History of Mexicos Independence

In 1521 Hernan Cortes and his army toppled the Aztec empire causing Mexico to fall into Spanish hands. The earliest revolt against the Spanish colonial government was led by Martn Corts, the illegitimate son of Hernn Corts. Most plots to end Spanish rule were devised by Mexican-born Spaniards, or criollos, who ranked below native Europeans within Mexicos highly stratified caste system. Mexicans and mestizos (Spaniard and Indian mix), who were often deprived of the most basic political and civil rights. On September 16, 1810, after three centuries of oppression, a Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was the first man to call for a revolt in Dolores, in the state of Guanajuato. He urged the angry Mexicans, criollos and Indians to recover the lands that were stolen from them by the Spaniards. His army was defeated in January 1811. He was captured and executed by firing squad in Chihuahua.

History of Mexicos Independence

(contd)

Continuing the revolution after Hidalgo were Jos Mara Morelos y Pavn, Mariano Matamoros and Vicente Guerrero, who all led armies of indigenous and racially mixed revolutionaries against the Spanish. This became known as the Mexican War Of Independence. The conflict dragged on until 1821, when the Treaty of Crdoba established Mexico as an independent constitutional monarchy under Agustn de Iturbide. 18 months later, the republican insurgents Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna and Guadalupe Victoria overthrew the emperor and established the first Mexican Republic. 11 years of war followed Hidalgos El Grito de Dolores before Mexico gained independence.

Key Dates

1808/1813-Napoleons invasion and occupation of Spain

It Started the feeling for Independence.

Called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico, the redistribution of land and of racial equality. One of the first battles and marks the end of the first offensive in the Mexican War of Independence. The Mexicans were defeated, after the battle they received an invitation by General Ignacio Elizondo to meet at the Wells of Bajn to buy weapons and equipment, they were immediately taken prisoner.

September 16, 1810 - Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores)

October 30, 1810 - Battle of El Monte de las Cruces

January 1811 - Battle of the Bridge of Caldern

June 26, 1811 - Allende, Jimnez and Aldama were executed July 30, 1811 Father Hidalgo was executed December 22, 1815 - Jos Mara Morelos was executed

September 27, 1821 Mexico gained independence

Important People/Heros

Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Ignacio Allende

Guadalupe Victoria
Mariano Abasolo Vicente Guerrero Ignacio Aldama Juan Aldama Jose Mariano Jimenez Jose Maria Morelos
Father Hidalgo Ignacio Allende

Guadalupe Victoria

Vicente Guerrero

Bibliography
History Channel, The Struggle for Mexican Independence http://www.history.com/topics/mexican-independence (accessed September 15, 2013) Wikipedia, Mexican War of Independence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_War_of_Independence (accessed September 15, 2013) MexicoOnline.com, The History of Mexican Independence http://www.mexonline.com/mexican-independence.htm (accessed September 15, 2013)