HOLA Text pgs, 169-174

1
Mexicos Road to Independence

• HOLA Text pgs, 169-174

2
Cause and Effect

• 1808, news of Napoleons invasion of Spain
  reaches Mexico City.
• Creoles and peninsulares prepare to seize control
  of New Spain, whatever the outcome.
• Creole reps from various groups would govern
  Mexico until Ferdinand VII is restored to power.
• The Creole movement called for home rule and free
  trade.

3
A Conflict of Interest

• This posed a threat to peninsular merchants,
  whose prosperity depended upon closed trade with
  Spain.
• Peninsulares led a coup, ousting the viceroy and
  establish their own regime.
• Creole leaders do not respond (property
  interests)
• Movement for Creole control is passed down to
  marginal elites.

4
Bajio

• Most modern of Mexican regions in its agrarian
  and industrial structures.
• Few indigenous communities.
• Bulk of population was Europeanized urban
  workers, miners, and tenant farmers.
• Agriculture dominated by commercial estates
  (upper class).
• Merchant-financiers

5
Bajios Economy

• Free wage labor
• This promoted growth of workers class
  consciousness and militancy.
• A decline in wages, standard of living, and job
  opportunities was brought on by rapid population
  growth and seasonal laborers.
• Also, the 1808 and 1809 draught and famine did
  not help the situation.

6
Revolt

• By 1810, a Creole plot to revolt was taking
  shape.
• A priest, Miguel Hidalgo, inspired by a genuine
  sympathy for the natives stepped up to lead the
  revolt.
• Miguel Hidalgo Summary

7
Hidalgos Shortcomings

• Failed to address the fundamental grievances of
  the people including landlessness, starvation
  wages, high rents, lack of protection, and
  profiteering landlords.
• Hidalgo could not control his rebel forces.

8
New Leaders Rise

• Learned from the failure of Hidalgos tactics.
• Employed Guerilla Warfare
• Goal exhaust the enemy and his social and
  economic base.

9
Jose Maria Morelos

• Assumed command of the revolutionary movement
  (also a priest).
• More radical in reforms and skilled in employing
  guerilla tactics.
• Defeat of Napoleon returns Ferdinand VII to the
  throne, freeing up the Spanish military.
• Drafted a liberal constitution that was rejected.
• Captured and met the same fate as Hidalgo.

10
The Movement Continues

• In 1820, a revolt in Spain forces Ferdinand VII
  to accept the constitution of 1812.
• Mexican deputies elected to the Spanish Cortes,
  or parliament proposed a solution that would have
  retained ties with Spain but granted New Spain
  autonomy.
• The Cortes rejects the proposal.

11
Independence

• Fearing the loss of privileges, the creoles and
  peninsulares schemed to separate Mexico from
  Spain.
• Teamed up Iturbide (Creole officer) and Guerrero
  (rebel officer).
• Swiftly overcame any loyalist resistance.
• September 28th, 1821 Iturbide proclaimed
  Mexican Independence.
• Recap - Mexican War of Independence