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Period: 1502 to 1520
SPANISH CONQUEST
Hernan Cortez led the Spanish expedition, leading to the fall of the Aztecs. Racial divides became more present as Spanish continued to have dominance. -
Period: 1503 to
ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM
Method of coercive labor that pushed the indigenous downwards in the social hierarchy.
Introduced socioeconomic inequality where indigenous people were paid significantly smaller amounts than the Spanish. This system lasted almost three centuries. -
1520
DEATH OF MONTEZUMA
After Mexica was under siege by the Spanish. Montezuma pleaded his people to stop attacking the Spanish, which resulted in his people throwing stones at him and badly injuring him. The circumstances of the death still remain unknown. -
POPULARIZATION OF ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS
Technology, political and economic systems, and revolutions were happening all around the globe. Mexico caught wind of these events. -
NAPOLEON INVASION OF SPAIN
The invasion weakened Spanish authority, leading to a power vacuum in the colonies. This sparked discussions about self-governance. -
FATHER HIDALGO'S CALL TO ARMS
Hidalgo, a Catholic priest, issued the Grito de Dolores, calling for independence. This sparked the beginning of the war. -
Period: to
LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS
Jose Maria Morelos and other leaders continued the fight for independence, but internal conflicts and external military interventions complicated the struggle. -
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The Mexican empire was officially declared independent. -
AGUSTIN DE ITURBIDE PLAN OF IGUALA
Iturbide, a former loyalist officer, joined the fight for independence. His plan outlined the fight for Mexican independence. -
ITURBIDE BECOMES EMPEROR
A mass demonstration of men who fought in the war demanded Iturbide to take the position of the throne; later he was declared emperor of Mexico.