Jackie Callaghan
Mr. Sepko
World Civ H
December 8, 2013
1. Why was revolution necessary?
During the years 1810 through 1821, Mexico fought to gain independence from Spain. In 1810,
Mexican priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo preached for freedom and asked his church goers, “My children
will you be free? Will you make the effort to recover the lands stolen…”. The church goers agreed with
Hidalgo and so an army was formed. “The criollos’ approach largely excluded indigenous Mexicans and
mestizos—people of mixed ancestry like Martín Cortés—who were often deprived of the most basic
political and civil rights.” and “They had to pay a special tax called a tribute and work for the Spaniards
when help was needed. They were also required to convert to Catholicism before independence”
Because of the need for political and civil rights the criollos, or Mexican born Spaniards, joined armies
with Vicente Guerrero, the last rebel leader, and in 1821 the Mexican Treaty of Córdoba was signed
under Agustín de Iturbide after Hidalgo’s execution in 1811. “Just 18 months later, the republican
insurgents Antonio López de Santa Anna and Guadalupe Victoria ousted the emperor and established
the first Mexican Republic.” Although it took many years for Mexicans to even notice a change in social
stance and other opportunities, the people of Mexico now have the freedom to believe what they want
and have their own social stance in society.
2. What factors/ people were most integral in achieving independence?
“The beginning of Mexico’s War of Independence is generally dated to El Grito de Dolores, the
proclamation of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the town of Dolores on September 16, 1810”. Father
Hidalgo was one of the most important people in having Mexico achieve independence as he was
essentially the start of all reforms regarding Spain. After Hidalgo was executed in 1811, Jose Morelos
took over his army. Although Morelos was executed in 1815 he and his army made significant advances
towards freedom. “The constant bloodshed that followed throughout the next decade and a half
reinforced the powerlessness of Mexican peasants to change their fates”. But, in 1820, “Agustín de
Iturbide had been given command of a Spanish army to crush the last rebel leader, Vicente Guerrero.
But instead of fighting Guerrero, Iturbide met with him peacefully. In February 1821, the two leaders
agreed to make Mexico independent. They joined their armies and won the support of liberal and
conservative creoles”. “Just 18 months later, the republican insurgents Antonio López de Santa Anna
and Guadalupe Victoria ousted the emperor and established the first Mexican Republic”. Because of
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Jose Morelos, Agustín de Iturbide, Vicente Guerrero, Antonio López de
Santa Anna, and Guadalupe Victoria Mexico was finally able to gain its independence and become the
republic it wished to be.