Mexican War of Independence

Quick Facts: Who was Mexican War of Independence?

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Mexican War of Independence

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The armed conflict ending Spanish rule in New Spain, leading to Mexican independence.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Mexican War of Independence (Spanish: Guerra de Independencia de México, 16 September 1810 – 27 September 1821) was an armed conflict and political movement that eventually resulted in Mexico's independence from the Spanish Empire. It was not a single, coherent event, but local and regional struggles that occurred within the same period, and can be considered a revolutionary civil war. It culminated with the drafting of the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire in Mexico City on September 28, 1821, following the collapse of royal government and the military triumph of forces for independence. Mexican independence from Spain was not an inevitable outcome of the relationship between the Spanish Empire and its Mexican Criollos, but events in Spain had a direct impact on the outbreak of the armed insurgency in 1810 and the course of warfare through the end of the conflict. Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain in 1808 touched off a crisis of legitimacy of Spanish crown rule, since Napoleon had forcefully placed his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne after the abdication of the Spanish king Charles IV.

Career & Major Achievements

In Spain and many of its overseas possessions, the local response was to set up juntas, ruling in the name of the Bourbon monarchy. Delegates in Spain and overseas territories met in Cádiz—as the Cortes of Cádiz, and drafted the Spanish Constitution of 1812. That constitution sought to create a new governing framework in the absence of the legitimate Spanish monarch. It tried to accommodate the aspirations of American-born Spaniards (criollos) for more local control and equal standing among side with Peninsular-born Spaniards (Peninsulares). This political process had far-reaching impacts throughout the New Spain colony during the independence war and beyond.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Pre-existing cultural, religious, and racial divides in Mexico played a major role in not only the development of the independence movement but also the development of the conflict as it progressed. The conflict had several phases. The first uprising for independence was originally led by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who issued the Cry of Dolores on 16 September 1810. The revolt was massive and not well organized. Hidalgo was captured by Mexican royalist forces, defrocked from the priesthood, and executed in July 1811.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1808: 1808 Milestone — Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain in 1808 touched off a crisis of legitimacy of Spanish crown rule, since Napoleon had forcefully placed his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne after the abdication of the Spanish king Charles IV.
2. 1810: 1810 Milestone — The Mexican War of Independence (Spanish: Guerra de Independencia de México, 16 September 1810 – 27 September 1821) was an armed conflict and political movement that eventually resulted in Mexico's independence from the Spanish Empire.
3. 1811: 1811 Milestone — Hidalgo was captured by Mexican royalist forces, defrocked from the priesthood, and executed in July 1811.
4. 1812: 1812 Milestone — Delegates in Spain and overseas territories met in Cádiz—as the Cortes of Cádiz, and drafted the Spanish Constitution of 1812.
5. 1821: 1821 Milestone — It culminated with the drafting of the Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire in Mexico City on September 28, 1821, following the collapse of royal government and the military triumph of forces for independence.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mexican War of Independence

True or False: “Did the initial uprising for independence begin with a unified and well-organized military force?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The first revolt led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was described as massive but not well organized.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mexican War of Independence