Mexico Fighting Spain for Independence:
The Beginnings
- The struggle for Mexican independence dates back to the decades after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, when Martin Cortes (Son of Hernan Cortes, conqueror of the Aztecs.
- Martin Cortes led a revolt against the Spanish colonial government in order to eliminate privileges for the conquistadors. He didn't like his father; his mother was not Hernan's wife but his father's interpreter.
CONSPIRACY OF THE MACHETES:
- Pedro de la Portilla was the leader. In 1799 he arranged a meeting with about twenty other powerless youths.
- The meeting discussed the situation that Criollos found themselves in, in relation to Peninsulares (Criollos were "Europeans" born in America, and Peninsulares were Europeans born in Spain).
- Those present agreed to rise in arms to rid the country of Peninsulares.
- The plan agreed on was to free prisoners, and with them storm the viceroy's palace, thus, capturing high officials and funds.
- The conspirators then intended to proclaim the independence of Mexico, declare war on Spain, and kill or expel the Peninsulares.
- To accomplish this, they were counting on 1,000 pesos of silver, two pistols, and some 50 cutlasses and machetes.
- Was a Failure.
GRITOS DE DOLORES:
- Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a local priest and member of a group of educated Criollos met in saloons and in 1810 arrived at the conclusion that a revolt against the colonial government.
- September 16, 1810, he declared independence from the Spanish crown, and war against the government in what was known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores).
- October 30, Miguel Hidalgo's army encountered Spanish resistance at the Battle of Monte de las Cruces, fought them and achieved victory.
- However the rebel army failed to defeat the large and heavily armed Spanish army in Mexico City. The surviving rebels fled to the US-Mexican border but were met by the Spanish. They were executed and Hidaglo's head was displayed to the public.
Sides in the battle:
- Patriots: Mexican Insurgents, Europeans and volunteers after 1819, Mexican ex-royalists, Army of the Three Guarantees (Guarantees: to have their own Mexican monarchy, Catholic church would be the official religion of Mexico, become a successful country)
- Royalists: Spanish royalists before 1821, Mexican Royalists.
For the next 10 years:
- The Mexicans were being held in check by the Spanish. Mexico was about to give up and listen to their motherland Spain when.....
Change in Fortunes:
- In 1820, the Royalist general Iturbide changed sides and joined the rebels.
- He feared that Spain would fall into liberal hands.
- Iturbide brought the Royalist army to his side, and then declared himself emperor, but his reign was exceedingly short.
- He was overthrown by Santa Anna after only a year, and Guadalupe Victoria was elected the first president of the Mexican Republic.
Spain Tries to Regain Mexico:
- -Battle of Tampico: Mexicans defeat Spanish
- -On July 31, 1827, a force of 1500 Mexicans under Santa Anna laid siege to 3,000 Spanish and Cuban soldiers, under Barradas, who landed in Tampico, with the intention of overthrowing the Mexican government.
- -The Spaniards were cut off from reinforcements and surrendered September 11, 1827.
Results for the Battle for Mexican Independence:
- -First Mexican Empire was established.
- -Spain loses Mexico, and loses a lot of respect from the world.
RESEARCH: One paragraph individually:
---Compare the Mexican Revolution to the American Revolution---
----------------------Due Friday-----------------------
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