Mexico Fighting For Independence
The Beginnings
- The struggle for Mexican independence dates back to the decades after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, when Martin Cortés (son of Hernan Cortés.)
- Martin led a revolt against the Spanish colonial government in order to eliminate privileges for the conquistadors. (his mother was not Hernan’s wife but his 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 Penisulares were Europeans born in Spain.
- Those present agreed to rise in arms to rid the country of Peninsulares.
- The plan was to free the prisoners and 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.
Result: 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.
- 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 U.S. – Mexican border but were met by the Spanish. They were executed and their Hidalgo’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 (1. Have their own monarchy 2. Their country would be prosperous 3. Roman Catholic would be their religion.
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, when 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.
Results of the Battle for Mexican Independence
- First Mexican Empire established
- Spain loses Mexico and losses a lot of respect from the world.
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