MEXICO’S FIGHT FOR
INDEPENDENCE
POST-TEST
SPANISH I
CULTURE
1. Who controlled Mexico when it
declared its independence?
A. Spain
B. The United States
C. England
D. France
2. When did Mexico declare its
independence?
A. May 5, 1821
B. May 5, 1776
C. September 15, 1821
D. September 16, 1810
3. Who was NOT a leader in Mexico’s
fight for freedom?
A. Hernan Cortes
B. José Morelos
C. Miguel Hidalgo
D. Augustin de Iturbide
4. How long was Mexico’s fight for
freedom?
A. 1 year
B. 5 years
C. 11 years
D. 10 years
5. Where did the fight for freedom
begin?
A. Mexico City
B. Dolores
C. Texas
D. Spain
6. Who was the first leader of Mexico
when it gained independence?
A. Hernan Cortes
B. José Morelos
C. Miguel Hidalgo
D. Augustin de Iturbide
7. How do Mexicans celebrate their
independence day?
A. Decorate with flowers
B. Have parades
C. Set off fireworks
D. All of the above
8. What do the city leaders do every
Independence Day?
A. Re-enact the shout for freedom
B. Make a toast to Mexico
C. Have a barbeque
D. Go to a rodeo
9. When does the celebration for
Mexico’s Independence Day begin?
A. The morning of Independence Day
B. The night of Independence Day
C. The day before Independence Day
D. The evening before Independence Day
10. When did Mexico finally gain their
freedom?
A. 1521
B. 1776
C. 1810
D. 1821
¡CORRECTO!
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Mexico’s Declaration of Independence
The main protagonists of the Independence were two priests Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and Jose Maria
Morelos. On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo freed the prisoners in the town of Dolores, locked up the
Spanish authorities and called the people to rebel by ringing the church bells. Hidalgo started out with 600
men, but soon had 100,000 and overran towns of central Mexico. Hidalgo was tricked, caught and
condemned the following year and was executed by firing squad on July 30, 1811. Morelos led successful
campaigns in 1812 and 1813, which included the capture of Acapulco, the main port on the Pacific coast.
He was captured and shot on Dec. 22, 1815.
Despite the setbacks, the independence movement continued under the Creole* colonel Augustin de Iturbide.
On September 28, 1821, the first independent government was named with Iturbide at the head.
Every year just before midnight on September 15th, Mexicans shout the grito* honoring an impulsive and
crucial action that was the catalyst* for the country’s bloody struggle for independence from Spain.
On September 25, 1821 the Mexican state won its independence from the Spanish crown. ¡Viva México!*
September 16th is similar to July 4th in the United States, and usually features rodeos, parades, bullfights,
dances, and grand feasts. But September 15th, or the eve of Independence Day is when the celebration
really begins, as crowds gather in every village and town throughout Mexico. The pueblos* are decorated
with red, white, and green flags and colorful flowers and music fills the air. As the clock begins to strike
eleven, silence falls over the citizens as mayors across the land step forward to ring the symbolic liberty
bell and give the “Grito de Dolores”* met with the crowd’s response of “¡Viva México!”
People’s names are in bold
*Creole = A person born in Spanish America, but of European or Spanish ancestry.
*grito = shout
*catalyst = something that starts an event to happen
*¡Viva México! = Long live Mexico!
*pueblos = towns
*Grito de Dolores = the Cry from (the town of) Dolores
Taken from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stTPt_CFetU
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Events in Mexico’s Path to Freedom
Almost 300 years later…
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¡Viva México!
You have officially answered all questions on
Mexican Independence Day correctly!
¡Adiós!
References:
Washington, S. (2011). Mexico’s History: Independence from Spain, cont. Retrieved July 6, 2013 from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stTPt_CFetU
Mexican Independence Timeline. (n.d.) Retrieved July 18, 2013 from
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/mexican-independence-timeline--2