Influence of Other Revolutionsīy 1810, Spanish America could look to other nations to see revolutions and their results. The chaos in Spain made the perfect excuse to rebel and yet not commit treason: many said they were loyal to Spain, not to Napoleon. The Criollosof New Spain found in this circumstance the opportunity to seek their independence. In 1808, Napoleon invaded Spain and decided to impose his brother, José Bonaparte, as the King of Spain (1808-1810). Spain was eventually forced to loosen some trade restrictions, but the move was too little too late as those who produced these goods demanded a fair price for them. Local merchants in New Spain took to selling their goods illegally to British and American traders. But, the Viceroyalties were only allowed to trade with Spain, and at rates advantageous for Spanish merchants. The vast Spanish New World Empire produced many goods, including coffee, cacao, textiles, wine, minerals, and more. ![]() Miguel Hidalgo formally denounced the observance of the caste system in 1810, and people of all races were able to see that putting up a fight for their independence was worth it. It is no surprise then, that Criollos were the spark that ignited the independence movement and the fight for human rights. Discontent steadily grew, especially amongst the Criollos, who were always treated as second-class subjects of the Spanish crown. The privileged were the Peninsular Spaniards. General groupings of “ castas” had their own set of privileges or restrictions. The revolt was against the Spanish caste system, which was used for social control and economic privilege. Persons of mixed race were collectively referred to as “ castas” or “ mestizos“. There were four main categories of race in New Spain: (1) Peninsular, a Spaniard born in Spain (2) Criollo (feminine, C riolla), a person of Spanish descent born in the New World (3) Indio (feminine India), a descendant of the original inhabitants of the Americas and (4) Negro (feminine Negra), a person of black African descent, usually an enslaved person or a free descendant of one. The new Viceroyalty (a territory with a local ruler appointed by the King) was named Nueva España, “New Spain.”ĭuring the colonial period, the Spanish developed a complex caste system based on race, that was used for social control, and that also determined a person’s importance and privilege in society. In 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, headed by Hernán Cortés, thus beginning three centuries of Spanish rule. Of course, the indigenous people were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico. What caused the revolt? Revolt Against the “Caste System” The country did not achieve independence until 1821. This event, known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) or El Grito de la Independencia (Cry of Independence), is commemorated every year in town squares across Mexico. He called for the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spanish crown, thus initiating Mexico’s War of Independence. In the early hours of September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople. ![]() ![]() He is depicted in a painting by Jose Clemente. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, or simply Miguel Hidalgo, was a Mexican priest and a leader in the Mexican War of Independence. El Grito de la Independencia (The Cry of Independence)Įl Grito de la Independencia (Cry of Independence) is held annually on September 16th in honor of Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spanish rule in 1810. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army in 1862. Many people in the world mistakenly think that May 5th or Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, but the country’s national holiday actually falls on September 16th. September 16th is Mexico’s Independence Day!
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