New Spain

Cortes Captures Tenochtitlan

Nov 8, 1519

Fall of Tenochtitlan: Hernán Cortés and approximately 100 Spaniards capture the capital of the Aztec Empire.

Conquest of Tenochtitlan complete

Aug 13, 1521

After a bloody series of conflicts–involving the Aztecs, the Tlascalans and other native allies of the Spaniards, and a Spanish force sent by Velásquez to contain Cortés–Cortés finally defeats the forces of Montezuma’s nephew, Cuauhtémoc (who became emperor after his uncle was killed in 1520). His victory marks the fall of the once-mighty Aztec empire. Cortés razes the Aztec capital and builds Mexico City on its ruins; it quickly becomes the premier European center in the New World.

Miguel Hidalgo Revolution

Sep 16, 1810

Father Manuel Hidalgo, a priest in the small village of Dolores, issues his famous call for Mexican independence. Despite its initial success, the Hidalgo rebellion loses steam and is defeated quickly, and the priest is captured and killed in Chihuahua in 1811.

Jose Morelos

1814

Another priest, Jose Morelos, succeeds Hidalgo as leader of Mexico’s independence movement and proclaims a Mexican republic. He is defeated by the royalist forces of the mestizo general Agustín de Iturbide, and the revolutionary banner passes to Vicente Guerrero.

Start of the Mexican Independence

1821

Iturbide meets with Guerrero and issues the Plan of Iguala, by which Mexico would become an independent country ruled as a limited monarchy, with the Roman Catholic Church as the official state church. In August 1821, the last Spanish viceroy is forced to sign the Treaty of Córdoba, marking the official beginning of Mexican independence.

Napoleon Bonaparte occupies spain

1888

Napoleon Bonaparte occupies Spain, deposes the monarchy, and installs his brother, Joseph, as head of state.