The Mexican Revolution: Miguel Hidalgo

The Mexican Revolution was from 1810-1821, specifically starting on September 16, 1810. This revolution was caused by three conflicts regarding the Spaniards and the Colonists. These conflicts pertained to unequal distribution of wealth, lack of equality, and the last, being that all of New Spain’s governor were Spanish. The people of Mexico believed that because of this, their views and opinions were not valued when making choices . One of the first to take the lead was Miguel Hidalgo. He organized a group of Creoles, and drew up the plan to expel the dominant Peninsular Spaniards in order to place themselves into a position of power. After their plans were exposed in September of 1810 they decided to attack prematurely, Hidalgo delivered an inspiring speech called the Grito de Dolores and off they went to battle.

The massacre of the Spanish defenders of the fortress and the sack of the city set the tone for the Hidalgo revolt. Hidalgo took Valladolid in mid-October and then marched on Mexico City. His horde numbered some 80,000 as it approached the viceregal capital. Hidalgo’s group of Indians and Mestizos quickly gained power and this put the Spanish Army. They drew out a plan and organized a group of fighters, defeating Hidalgo and his men in 1811 at Calderon. Hidalgo tried to flee to the north, but eventually was captured and executed. After his death, Hidalgo’s followers appointed other peasant leaders such as José María Morelos y Pavón, Mariano Matamoros, and Vicente Guerrero, who all led armies of native and racially mixed revolutionaries against the Spanish and the Royalists. Jose Maria Morelos kept the revolution alive for another four years, but eventually was killed by in Agustin de Iturbide, a Creole who had joined the Spanish against the revolutionists, in 1815, ending the first