Lesson 3.3.3 - Mexican Independence

The society of colonial Mexico was divided into social classes

At the top were people born in Spain, called peninsulares - the peninsulares held the highest offices in the government and church

Next were criollos, people of Spanish background, born in Mexico

Next came mestizos, people of mixed Spanish and native heritage

Native Americans and slaves were the lowest class of society

In 1810, Miguel Hidalgo led a revolt against the peninsulares.

He led an army of almost 100,000 men, including many mestizos.

His army killed many peninsulares and criollos, and captured several of Mexico's important cities.

Government resisted Father Hidalgo's army, and in 1811, the troops defeated the priest's army and seized him.

On July 30, 1811, they executed him, but his rebellion inspired others in Mexico to continue the fight.

Jose Morelos took over leadership of the independence movement.

In November 1813, he and his followers declared independence.

They drafted a constitution that made Mexico a republic.

The constitution also guaranteed freedom, equality, and security.

Spain refused to accept this constitution and surrender.

For nearly two years, they fought.

Morelo was captured and executed in 1815.

Small groups of rebels continued to fight.

In 1820, one leader united them - General Iturbide.

Early in 1821, he issued a plan that included "Three Guarantees."

First, Mexico would be independent of Spanish control.

Second, peninsulares and criollos would be equal to each other.

Third, Roman Catholicism would be the only religion in the country.

Iturbide's army rapidly defeated Spanish troops.

In 1821, Spain signed a treaty granting independence to Mexico.

In 1822, Iturbide cowned himself the emperor of Mexico.

His reign was a disaster - even though he had great success leading the rebels to defeat Spain, as an emperor he could not unify them.

One of his generals, Santa Anna, rebelled against him.

In 1823, Iturbide gave up his crown and was exiled.

Santa Anna's new government wrote the Constitution of 1824.

That year, the United States, Britain, and other countries recognized Mexico as an independent country. But Spain continued to fight.

Santa Anna's troops finally defeated Spanish forces in 1830.

That same year, Mexico's people elected Santa Anna as president.