Mexico Gains Independence 1810 - 1821

Spanish Empire Red River and Sabine River officially become New Spain’s borders

Inspiration for Revolution: American Revolution 1776 - The U.S. fights Great Britain for their independence French Revolution 1789 - The French rise up against their king and create a new government

Reasons for Revolution: Tired of Spanish Rule King enforced royal laws that colonist found unfair Jobs best jobs in New Spain were saved for the Spaniards (not Criollos, Mestizos, Native Americans or Blacks). Taxes Spanish were taxing Mexicans to pay for their wars overseas.

UNREST IN MEXICO In 1809 Napoleon would invade Spain and put his brother in charge of the country. Mexicans didn’t trust the new Napoleon controlled Spain. Mexicans also began to embrace the ideas of this period known as the “Enlightenment” that kings did not have a God given right to rule and that people have natural rights Spain

Government’s Role in Enlightenment Support the people’s natural rights and interests If government failed to do this, it should then be replaced.

People of the Spanish Empire Spaniards (Peninsulares) = people who came directly from Spain to live in the New World Criollos = people of pure Spanish blood but born in New Spain (New World) Mestizos = people of mixed Native American and Spanish blood Mulattos = people of mixed African and Spanish blood Blacks Native Americans

Leader of the Mexican Revolution Father Miguel Hidalgo - Catholic Priest & “Father of the Country” September 16, 1810 - he called Mexicans to fight Spain for their freedom

Battle of Medina Republican forces of the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition vs Spanish Royalist Army August 18, 1813 Along the Medina River south of San Antonio Republican army lost, but encouraged others to participate in revolution

Disagreements and Defeat Americans wanted a republic, but the Mexicans wanted a government with appointed officials. Americans wanted independence from Mexico, and Mexicans did not. The Spanish defeated the Republican Army in 1813.

End of the Mexican Revolution Agustin de Iturbide ( E Tour BE Day) was a General who switched to the Mexican Revolutionary side and eventually drove the Spanish Army out of Mexico. The 1821 Treaty of Córdoba would give Mexico its independence and make Iturebide its Emperor Agustin de Iturbide

Outcome of the War 11 year war 1821 – Mexico independence from Spain 1824 – Mexican Constitution of 1824 Texas became a province (state) of Mexico called Coahuila y Tejas. The land of Texas was combined with Coahuila to form the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas

Mexican Constitution of 1824 Mexico’s lawmakers elect the president No freedom of religion Roman Catholicism – official religion Similar to the US Constitution Republic government Federalism Separation of Powers