Factors Contributing to Mexico's Independence

Kathy Szelag

History 241

Due Date: 12/17/15

Final Exam

There are many factors that may have contributed to the Independence of Mexico like creole-peninsular hostility, a growing creole self-consciousness, trade restrictions, the Enlightenment, the precedent of the American Revolution, and the revolutionary ideology of the French Revolution. A historian that was the first professor of Latin American studies in the United Kingdom and the founder of the Institute of Latin American Studies at University College London made an argument regarding this statement. His name was Robert Arthur Humphreys and his argument stated, "The French Revolution in its Napoleonic aspect was the occasion, if not the cause, of the emancipation of Spanish America”

This created new viceroyalties and captaincies-general and natural trade routes were opened up. Humphreys stated, "The natural trade routes of the indies were opened up, where once Cádiz and Seville had enjoyed a monopoly with in a monopoly and the fleets and galleons had divided between the commerce and treasure of Mexico and Peru, step by step the ports of America and the ports of Spain were opened, the age old restrictions on inter-colonial commerce were light ended, and the tariff's and duties hampering trade revised"(R. A. Humphreys, 383). The reasons that these innovations were made were for efficiency in administration and to rehabilitate the colonial trade. It was a strategic plan where in the end there was imperial defense, protection of the empire against foreign factors, and to eliminate competition. In places like Buenos Aires, the economic life was completely altered where the exports, shipping, and even population began to rapidly

The timing of the invasion of Spain benefitted the colonies. By creating juntas, they were able to find a way to respond to the invasion. There became opportunities and trading opened up, ports opened, prices dropped and most places. The colonies were benefitting from this and the economy was doing well. New Spain in particular took up arms in order to gain some momentum and power in government. New Spain wanted to revolt in order to become the Americas instead of the Spanish. This allowed for the people of New Spain to drift away from the Spanish rule and set up their own