Independence: A Long Struggle for Mexico

Conspiracy of Querétaro [Initiation]

Jan 1, 1810

Conspiracies had begun to spark all around New Spain. In Querétaro, Miguel Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama, and Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez gathered for “literary clubs” in which they discussed Enlightenment ideas and the possibility of an uprising. The group began to acquire arms and ammunitions for the revolt that was to begin on the final months of the year. However, a traitor from within accelerated the movement.

The Conspiracy is Discovered [Initiation]

Sep 13, 1810

Mariano Galván leaked the conspiracy on September 13, 1810. Epigmenio González was arrested for the possession of arms. Word arrived to Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, and she decided to send a trustworthy messenger to inform Hidalgo, Allende, and Aldama that the conspiracy had been discovered. This event caused a major change in plans, the rebellion was going to begin sooner than expected.

The Grito de Dolores [Initiation]

Sep 16, 1810

Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, and Juan Aldama got word that the conspiracy had been discovered. They decided to rise up and begin the insurgence. Miguel Hidalgo gave the Grito de Dolores and called for all people born in Mexico to fight against the bad government. On this day, the war that would continue on for eleven years began.

Battle of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas [Initiation]

Sep 28, 1810

Hidalgo and his group of rebels that made up almost 30,000 people arrived in Guanajuato. The peninsulares were hiding and barricading themselves inside of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, and Hidalgo decided to attack it. The brave Indian, el Pípila, valiantly burnt the door of the building. This led all of the rebels inside. The outcome of this massacre left more than 500 Spaniards savagely slaughtered, and an angry mob marching toward the capital.

Battle of the Monte de las Cruces [Initiation]

Oct 30, 1810

Miguel Hidalgo's army encountered an army of Spanish resistance led by Torcuato Trujillo in the Battle of the Monte de las Cruces. The rebels fought them and achieved victory. The rest of the surviving Spaniards fled to the capital. Although victory was in the horizon, Hidalgo decided to retreat and ignore Allende’s plan. Hidalgo claimed that the group didn’t have enough ammunition, but he was mainly afraid of the slaughter fest that could occur in Mexico City. War coul have ended.

Battle of the Bridge of Calderón and Capture [Initiation]

Jan 1, 1811

The Spanish forces fought the Battle of the Bridge of Calderón and defeated the insurgent army. This forced the rebels to flee towards the United States-Mexican border, where they hoped to escape and find more supplies. However they were betrayed and intercepted by the Spanish army. Hidalgo and his remaining soldiers were captured in the state of Coahuila at Acatita de Baján. The leaders were later tried and found guilty of treason against the crown.

Execution of Leaders [Initiation]

Jul 30, 1811

Allende, Jiménez, and Aldama were executed on the 26th of June of 1811. On the other hand, Hidalgo had to go through a process in which his priesthood was stripped. He was executed on July 30, 1811. The head of the four independence leaders were put on cages and hung from the four corners of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas as a warning to others who were planning to rebel. The heads were not removed until the conclusion of the war in 1821.

Execution of José María Morelos [Consolidation]

Nov 1, 1815

José Mará Morelos was escorting the new insurgent Congress when he ambushed by Spaniard soldiers and defeated in Tezmalaca. He was taken prisoner to Mexico City in chains and shackles. He was tried and sentenced to death for treason. Morelos was executed by firing squad on December 22, 1815 in San Cristóbal Ecatepec, north of Mexico City so that his execution wouldn’t provoke a dangerous public reaction. His lieutenant, Vicente Guerrero, continued fighting on.

Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria [Resistance]

Period: Jan 1, 1816 to Dec 31, 1820

This time period was characterized by resistance and sporadic guerrilla fighting. The battle for independence stalled. There were a few guerrillas that fought in the mountains and were practically unbeatable. Guadalupe Victoria (Puebla and Veracruz) and Vicente Guerrero (Oaxaca) were the two main leaders.

Plan de Iguala [Consummation]

Feb 24, 1821

Vicente Guerrero and Agustín Iturbide met and had the Abrazo de Acatempan. They swore allegiance, and they created and declared the Plan de Iguala. This plan declared Mexico’s independence and created the Army of the Three Guarantees. Led by Iturbide, the army began marching toward Mexico City and ultimately independence.

Triumph and Independence [Consummation]

Sep 27, 1821

Agustín Iturbide triumphantly entered Mexico City with the Army of the Three Guarantees. Mexico had finally become an independent nation. Iturbide declared the Mexican Empire and he became the first emperor in Mexico’s short history. What followed were months of uncertainty until Iturbide was removed.