Essay: Key Leaders in the War of Mexican Independence

Key Leaders in the War of Mexican Independence
In general, all revolutions that occur in history are inspired by great leaders. This has been evident from The American Revolution to The French Revolution; it was through the acts of the people that brought about change. Another major revolution that held important key leaders was The Mexican Revolution of 1810. In this revolution, change was inspired by the great leaders who fought against Spain for their independence and equality. Three major leaders who heavily impacted the revolution were Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Father Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, and Agustin de Iturbide.
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, or Hidalgo, was one of the most influential people in starting the revolution. When his brother, a former priest, passed away, Hidalgo took on the parish duties and became a much liked priest himself. In 1808, under Napoleon’s rule, France invaded Spain, but due to Napoleon’s strength in militia, Spain had no choice but to succumb to France’s superior force. The chaotic state of Spain at the time catalyzed many people forming secret alliances. Hidalgo was part of a pro-independence alliance, however, this changed quickly. When Hidalgo saw many groups around him getting caught and arrested by the government, Hidalgo took a different approach in making a change and preaching the word. He rang the church bells and called a meeting. The meeting he called is known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), which is one of the most essential things Hidalgo is recognized for. The Grito de Dolores openly projected a message of fighting for equality and proper land reform for the establishment of what we know today as Mexico as its own country. The Grito de Dolores resulted in issues between the upperclass and revolutionists both socially and economically. Hidalgo along with many mestizos (mixed race Spaniards) joined together and marched down from Dolores to capture Guanajuato along with other cities in order to make a point. As Hidalgo and his group were about to break into the capital, the mestizos that made up Hidalgo’s group backed down and fled away in fear. Before Hidalgo could make a plan of what to do next, he was captured at the Calderon Bridge, stripped of his priesthood, and executed in 1811. Hidalgo unquestionably played an important role in the spark of the Mexican Revolution of 1810 – so much so that he earned the nickname Father of Mexican Independence. Without his moving speech and capturing of cities, the Mexican Revolution may have ceased to exist, changing history as we know it.
Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, or Morelos, was another influential figure in keeping the Mexican Revolution of 1810 alive. Due to the lack of wealth in Morelos’s family, Morelos worked as a cowhand until the ripe age of 25. At 25, Morelos decided to give priesthood a try. He studied to become a priest at Colegio de San Nicolás. As a priest, Morelos often worked with mestizos and Indians, so getting them to help fight alongside him for Mexico’s independence would not be an issue later on. Just before Hidalgo died in 1811, Morelos joined his association in fighting against the government. After Hidalgo was executed the same year as Morelos joined, Morelos took on the challenge in picking up where Hidalgo left off in leading the revolution. Between 1812 and 1815, Morelos appeared to be unstoppable in conquering much of the land southwest of what we know today as Mexico City. Victory after victory, Morelos was beginning to reign of all of the lands he conquered. Morelos’s lack of control proceeded to Morelos resulting to guerrilla tactics to keep everyone in order. Shortly after his minor outbreak, Morelos created a new congress for Mexico in 1813 which was made for establishing a new government and new constitution. This congress was known as the Congress of Chilpancingo. The Congress of Chilpancingo proclaimed a republican government and removal of the caste systems as well as slavery. In 1813, the Congress of Chilpancingo openly asserted the independence of Mexico, and in 1814 it announced an equalitarian constitution. As the royalists were catching up to Morelos, Morelos allowed much of the revolutionary government to escape into hiding. The laws of the Congress of Chilpancingo slowly began to fall apart, and Morelos was killed by Agustin de Iturbide in 1815. Clearly, Morelos played an important role in the Mexican Revolution. Without Morelos taking over the lead after Hidalgo died, Mexico’s attempt to break away may have been silenced by Spain, and Mexico might not be its own country today.
Lastly, Agustin de Iturbide, or Iturbide, was another important leader in the Mexican Revolution of 1810. Although he ended up playing a large role in the long run in gaining Mexico its independence, Iturbide wasn’t always a supporter of pro-independence for Mexico. In fact, Iturbide started out at a royalist for Spain. After Iturbide’s killing of Morelos, Iturbide was given command to the military in Guanajuato and Michoacán. By 1820, the last of the revolutionists appeared to be gone (arrested, killed, escaped Spain, etc.) and Spain had just about got things running smoothly. The only thing in the way of Mexico’s defeat were the guerrilla bands that were still alive under Vincent Guerrero. When a liberal coup d’etat erupted in Spain, all of the conservative factions fighting Mexico suddenly sided with Mexico for their immediate independence. It was at this point that Iturbide made the plan to try to help Mexico. Iturbide knew that Spain was too preoccupied with the coup d’etat to be concerned with what he was doing. If Iturbide could side military forces with Guerrero and won Mexico its independence, he knew that he could have more power and authority in Mexico than in Spain. For this reason, Iturbide did just that in joining forces with Guerrero. Iturbide, next, made a list of three guarantees to the people known as the Plan de Iguala. This is one of the most essential things Iturbide is known for. The guarantees state (1) immediate independence from Spain, (2) equality for Spaniards and Creoles, and (3) one dominant religion, Roman Catholicism, as well as a ban on all other religions. These three guarantees became wildly known, and on August 21, 1821 the new representative of the Spanish King signed over Mexico’s independence. Immediately after gaining Mexico its independence, Iturbide removed Guerrero’s authority/influence. While Iturbide was briefly crowned Emperor of Mexico, his reign did not last long. He was unable to provide stabability to the country, and all parties ruled in favor in his removal of the crown and his execution. When Iturbide found out he was going to be forced to resign from his position, Iturbide quickly renounced and fled to Italy. In 1824, however, Iturbide returned back to Mexico unaware that the intent was to execute him. Before Iturbide had the chance to escape, he was captured and killed July 19, 1824.  Although Iturbide’s greed for power took over him, Iturbide undoubtedly an important factor in the Mexican Revolution of 1810. Iturbide was ultimately the person who won Mexico its independence in 1821. Without Iturbide’s quick switch in supporting Mexico’s independence, the revolution might have fell through, and Mexico maybe never would have gained its independence.
All in all, Hidalgo, Morelos, and Iturbide played important roles in inspiring, elongating, and winning Mexico it’s independence. All three men were essential to the revolution, and through these leaders we can tell that timing is everything. The entire revolution could easily have fallen through and been silenced if not for the bravery and leadership of Hidalgo, Morelos, and Iturbide. As evident in previous revolutions, it takes a voice to bring about change, as it will take a voice to bring about future changes and revolutions.
Works Cited
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Agustin de Iturbide.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 04 Feb. 2016. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.
Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Jose Maria Morelos.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 25 May 2016. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.