1800’s-1820 Mexican

Independence

Was Mexico (New Spain)

ready for independence from Spain? 

Some say yes, and this is why.

The inequalities of life under the caste system

The flow of wealth out of New Spain to Spain

The inability of New Spain to feed its own people

The confusion and division in the governments of both Spain and New Spain

The flow of new ideas on government and peoples rights arriving from America and France, both of whom had recently undergone revolutions of their own

People in New Spain were

organized into a caste system, by law. This caste

system was based on race. Those at the top lived very well. Those at the bottom lived very

harsh lives.

Peninsulares(Gauchapines)European born whites

Criollos Colonial born whites

Mestizo Mixed blood (Spanish-Indian)

Mulattos Mixed blood (Spanish-Negro)

Indians Natives

Negroes African

Partner work1. Why was Mexico ready for a revolution?

2. Explain the caste system in Mexico

3. Describe how life would be different for 2 people in the caste system.

Reasons for IndependenceThe Colonial legacy also

allowed the Church to be owners of between 25% and 50% of the land.

They controlled most schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions.

They also enjoyed “fueros” which are special privileges which included the right to not be tried in civil courts.

Population of Mexico in 1810- Indians(3,676,281) 60% Criollos(1,092,397) 18% Mestizos(704,245) 11% Mulatoes(624,461) 10% Peninsulares(15,000) .3 Blacks(10,000) .2%

Beginning of the RevolutionIn 1808, French Napoleon captured the Spanish

monarchs and took over Spain. Mexican Viceroy, Jose de Iturrigaray promised to keep

Mexico under Spain’s rule until the monarchy could be restored

Tension began to grow among criollos who wanted some changes in New Spain like elimination of the fueros, and more freedom of trade

The lower classes of Indians and peasants who were growing tired of oppression and inequalities.

Military leaders also enjoyed these fueros or special privileges.

Partner Work4. What was a feuros? Why would it make some

people angry? 5. Identify and explain 2 reasons why a revolution

was beginning in Mexico.

El BajioThe Bajío (lowlands) is a region of Central Mexico that includes the plains south of the Sierra de Guanajuato, in the state of Guanajuato, as well as parts of the states of Querétaro and was the home of the first grassroot insurgencies.

Independence or Social Revolution?

-Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (a priest from Dolores) gave “El Grito” on a Sunday on September 16, 1810

this was a call for the oppressed people of Mexico to rise against their Spanish rulers.

In less than two weeks the insurgent leaders had assembled thousands of rebels (between 70,000 and 80,000)

They began a march on the industrial and mining center of Guanajuato.

Guanajuato- El BajioThey eventually captured

the city and massacred hundreds of Spaniards in the granary and city (Alhondiga de Granaditas).

A legendary figure, named el pipila, helped the rebels capture the Spanish stronghold by covering his body with a block and reaching the doors and setting them on fire.

Less than a year after the revolt, he was captured and executed by a firing squad.

Jose Maria Morelos

Another priest, Jose Maria Morelos assumed command of the revolutionary movement.

Like Hidalgo, he ordered an end to slavery.

He pushed for reforms in government in Mexico after Spain became free of French rule in 1814.

The Spanish Crown was able to refocus of Mexico and sent more troops to press on the revolutionary movements.

By the end of 1815, Morelos was defeated, captured, and executed.

Partner Work6. Who was Hildago and why was he important?

7. Who was an el pipila?

8. Explain who Morelos was and how he impacted the revolution.

Liberals vs Conservatives  Two camps of thoughts developed during the War for

Independence Liberals wanted to copy the reform governments like

the United States and FranceConservatives who wanted Mexico to exist very much

the way it did during the Colonial Era with support for the Church and landed economic systems.

Conservatives sided with the Church and mercantilism

Liberals sided with the French Revolution that wanted to end these privileges and wanted to modernize the economy.

Partner work9. Compare and contrast 2 differences of the

conservatives and liberals.

The Movement Continues One of the most prominent leaders to continue the struggle was Vicente Guererro. The Spanish government angered both liberals and conservatives in Mexico by being too liberal Forced both sides to agree on the criollo officer Agustin de Iturbide who crowned himself emperor of Mexico on September 28, 1821! His monarchy experiment only lasted a few months because it had no popular base of support. He was overthrown by Guadalupe Victoria and in 1824 a new constitution was written.

CaudillosDuring this time period, a movement began to develop this strong reliance upon the caudillo.

A caudillo is the name given to a strong military person that came to be seen as the only savior for the country during hard times.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana would become the best example of caudillos throughout Mexico’s early history.

Mexican Independence and Nationalism

Class- Criollos take over, some mestizos includedCulture- Some signs of emerging Mexican style,

still mostly imitating Europe.Color- Some mestizos more accepted, Indians not.Contact- Anglo-American lead expansion.Conflict- Mexican American War of 1846Change- Anglo occupation of Mexican land,

sociocultural struggles.

Independent Work10. What does caudillo mean what did they do?11. Name 4 ways Mexico changed after their

revolution.