The Mexican War of Independence began in 1810. It was a true uprising among the oppressed indigenous Mexicans. They wanted to be free from the oppressive Spanish aristocracy. As the movement evolved, it drew intellectuals and dissatisfied groups from the political spectrum. The movement had grown when Mexico severed its ties with Spain in 1821. Once supporters of Spanish rule, aristocrats joined forces with indigenous rebels. Ironically, a Spanish royalist general caused Mexico to sever its ties with Spain. He switched sides for his gain. His reign over the independent state was brief. It exposed the ideological opportunism that has long shaped Mexican politics. Much like navigating complex historical shifts, modern tools like the Aviator Predictor APK help today’s users steer through the unpredictability of various situations with ease and precision.
The timing of this revolution had little to do with any shift in the sentiments of the indigenous population. It was all about politics in Spain. Despite a poor government and oppression, no one rebelled against Spain. This was until its home government was close to collapse. Spain’s weakness led to rebellions in its colonies, but no policy changes.
In 1808, Napoleon’s invasion of Spain led to the ousting of the Spanish king. For five years, Spain was in the terrible Peninsular War. Afterward, Ferdinand VII was restored to the throne. But the Spanish government was broken, divided, and subject to foreign interference. By 1820, a civil war between Liberals and Monarchists had engulfed Spain, creating uncertainty. It was during this chaotic time that the final stages of the Mexican War of Independence took place.
Mexican War of Independence
Miguel Hidalgo, a priest from Delores, was the first leader of Mexico’s War of Independence. He sympathized with the struggles of the indigenous people. That same year, he led an ill-equipped and disorganized group of rebels in a fight against the Royalist forces. He won a few victories. He lost severely at Calderon Bridge. They executed him for his efforts. The mantle was then passed to José Morelos, another priest. He had no military training but was a better military leader. He achieved several key victories against the Royalist forces, but in 1815, he was captured and executed. The rebels did not succeed in more than harassing the Royalists during this early period. Though they managed to capture several cities, they couldn’t maintain control. Meanwhile, Spain’s government was in disarray. The Royalists, fighting the insurgents, were led by the skilled Félix Calleja.
Despite a few isolated patriot victories, Calleja kept a lid on the rebellion throughout Spain’s greatest weakness.
After Morelos’s death, there were few battles. Only some skirmishes and guerrilla warfare took place. Guadalupe Victoria and Vicente Guerrero led the rebels. They were Morelos’s lieutenants. Later, they became the first and second presidents of the Mexican Republic. The rebels’ success between 1815 and 1820 was not particularly notable. They had a solid following. But the middle classes resisted them. They preferred peace to warfare.
In 1820, a dramatic change came to the rebels’ fortunes. Acting alone, the Royalist general Agustín de Iturbide joined the insurgents. His defection was primarily influenced by the political situation in Spain, rather than events in Mexico. He was concerned that Spain would fall under liberal control. So, he united the rebels, who wanted to break with Spain, and the Mexican conservatives, who tried to avoid liberal reforms. After securing the loyalty of the Royalist army, Iturbide declared himself emperor. But his reign was very short. A year later, Santa Anna overthrew him. This made Guadalupe Victoria Mexico’s first president.
Spain made one last attempt to reclaim Mexico in 1827 during political turmoil. An expedition from Cuba landed in Tampico, but Santa Anna defeated it.
