-
Aug 1, 1521
Spain Colonizes Mexico
The colonization of Mexico was by Hernán Cortés and his fellow conquistadors. After traveling from Spain to Mexico, they established a colony by demolishing the Aztec empire through war and disease. -
Hidalgo Declares War
After nearly 300 years of colonial rule and immense social divides between Mexicans and the Spanish royalists, a Catholic Priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla declared war against the colonial government. This sparked the first significant movement towards Mexico’s independence. He is known as the father of Mexican Independence. -
Hidalgo’s Army Reaches Guanajuato
Thousands of people died in 1810 when Hidalgo’s rebel army arrive in Guanajuato. The violence and lack of mercy caused many people from Guanajuato to support the Spaniards and Guanajuato army. Hidalgo’s army experienced immense losses from this, losing approximately 2,000 lives. -
Hidalgo in Monte de Las Cruces
By this time, 80,000 people had joined Hidalgo’s Army. Outside of Monte de Las Cruces, the Spanish Army encountered them and were forced to retreat as a result of the magnitude of Hidalgo’s supporters. The war could’ve been won there, but Hidalgo chose to have his army retreat because the lack of ammunition and casualties. -
Hidalgo moves in on Mexico City
Hidalgo and his retreated supporters travelled to Mexico City in a violent movement. In Calderón, his militia was defeated by the colonials. He rounded them up and retreated northward with his significantly weakened army. -
Hidalgo Executed
A segment of the Spanish Army captured Hidalgo and his army while they were recovering and regrouping from the devastating war. On July 30, after a trial and conviction, Hidalgo was the last of many leaders to be executed by a firing squad. -
Morelos is Executed
José Maria Morelos y Pavón had become the leadership of the revolution in 1812, but was executed in 1815 by the viceroy’s army. He had been the leader that held a Congress to discuss the actions that would be taken if Mexico became an independent country. In 1812 Morelos, with the help of a set of delegates created a constitution for if Mexico were to become independent. -
Plan de Iguala
After a well trained rebel army forced Spanish king Ferdinand VII to agree with the terms of the Mexican Constitution created by Morelos, the “Plan de Iguala” was created by Colonel Agustín de Iturbide. This was a document that ensured the three overall “guarantees” of the new independent Mexico: complete independence, Roman Catholicism being the main religion and absolute social equality. -
Mexican War of Independence Ends
After years of conflict between the Spanish royalists and revolutionaries, the war finally came to a close. It ended with the Treaty of Córdoba which established Mexico as an independent monarchy. The monarchy was under Agustín de Iturbide. -
Mexico Becomes a Republic
A year and a half after Mexico had become officially an independent monarchy, it became a republic. Antonio López de Santa Anna and Guadalupe Victoria were the two main figures that took away the emperor’s power and shifted the government structure.
