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The "Literary Club" Plans the Movement
Initiation
Miguel Hidalgo was assigned to be the priest in Dolores, Guanajuato. At his arrival, he shortly met Ignacio Allende who introduced him to Juan de Aldama, Miguel Domínguez, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez, Epigmenio González, Marino Galván and a few othes, Together they formed a "literary club" in which their focus wasn't to discuss the works of renowned writers. They got together at Epigmenio González's house to start planning a move to Indpendence from the Spanish crown. -
The Conspiracy is Revealed
Initiation Marino Galván had told one of his superiors about the conspiracy who in turn informed the audiencia in Mexico City. Spanish authorities moved in to Epigmenio González's house and scrutinized the house for anything suspicious. They found a room in which he had several weapons stored and González was arrested. Doña Josefa, after seeing that the conspiracy was at huge risk of failing, entrusted Ignacio Pérez to travel to Dolores inform Hidalgo that the movement must begin now. -
El Grito de Dolores
Initiation Upon hearing what had happened to Epigmenio González, Hidalgo immediatly rang the bells of the church to warn everyone that the move to independence was about to begin. He gave a speech and then set off to San Miguel. Hidalgo stopped at the hamlet of Atotonilco where Hidalgo took the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe as an emblem of his crusade. -
The Siege of Guanajuato
Initiation By September 28, Hidalgo arrived to Guanajuato where he tried to come to a deal with Juan Anotnio de Riaño, intendant of Guanajuato, but he knew what would happen and ordered the people of Guanajuato to seek refuge at the Alhóndiga de Granaditas. Riaño ordered his people to open fire and then all hell broke loose. The attackers led by Juan José de Martínez, know as El Pípila, who set the door of the granary on fire. It took some time to restore order and move on to Mexico City. -
Battle at Monte de las Cruces
Initiation
This was an anticipated battle that happened at Monte de las Cruces. After the battle, the Spaniards retreated to Mexico City and Hidalgo regrouped. He could've ended the movement towards independence with a decisive strike on the capital but decided to build his forces again. He waited too long and soon, the Spanis forces would move on against them. -
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The Tide Turns
Consolidation
After Hidalgo decided to move back before attacking the capital, the Spanish striked at Guadalajara and were able to surprise the rebels by accident since they hit an ammunition wagon, which exploded and caused the grass to catch fire all around Hidalgo's army. Hidalgo, Allende, and many other leaders were captured and executed. Jose María Morelos y Pavón takes over the movement. -
José María Morelos y Pavón
Consolidation
At dawn on July 31, 1811, Miguel Hidalgo was executed by a firing squad after he was stripped from his priesthood. His corpse was decapitated and his head fastened to a pole. It was then displayed on a pole outside the granary in Guanajuato as if to warn rebels to not mess with them. Jose María Morelos y Pavón took over the leadership after Hidalgo's death. -
Morelos Copies Hidalgo
Resistance
In the fall of 1815, Morelos was captured and escorted to Mexico City where he was tried for treason. Just like Hidalgo, he was stripped from his religious vestments and executed by a firing squad. -
The Plan de Iguala
Consumation
Vicente Guerrero had taken leadership of the rebel movement and was opposed by Agustín de Iturbide. Iturbide saw that it would be hard to contain the rebels so he decided to betray the Crown and proposed a plan do Vicente Guerrero. This was called the Plan de Iguala, which contained 3 major guarantees that would benefit Itrubide after the resolution of the war. -
The War Comes to an End
Consumation
After the Treaty of Iguala was signed, Iturbide had made "his own nest". He set thigs up so that he would be the one with the most benefit. The first door Iturbide opened in Mexico City was that of the great cathedral on the central plaza. Iturbide received a Te Deum in his honor.
