Independence Movement

The American and French revolutions had stirred Creoles and mestizos of Mexico to thoughts of self-government. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain and placed his brother Joseph on its throne. The royal officials in Mexico might easily have been overthrown, but instead the majority of Mexicans expressed their loyalty to the deposed Ferdinand VII.

Some Mexicans, however, kept thinking of independence. On the night of September 15–16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla proclaimed a revolt. He won the support of several provinces, but in January, 1811, he was captured by government troops and shot. Leadership of the independence movement fell to another priest, Jose María Morelos, who in 1815 was also captured and shot.

In the meantime Napoleon had met defeat in Spain and Ferdinand VII had returned to the throne. His autocratic rule led to a Spanish revolt in 1820 and establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Spain. In Mexico the conservatives, opposed to constitutional government, joined the independence movement, hoping to establish an independent kingdom in Mexico.

Agustín de Iturbide, a creole army officer, joined forces with the revolutionary leaders, Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria. Iturbide helped depose the Spanish viceroy in 1821 and in 1822 succeeded in having himself declared emperor of Mexico. His despotic rule lasted 20 months before he was forced into exile. In 1824 a federal republic, the United States of Mexico, was formed. Iturbide attempted to return to power and was shot.