MEXICO’S FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE POST-TEST SPANISH I CULTURE

1. Who controlled Mexico when it declared its independence? A. Spain B. The United States C. England D. France

2. When did Mexico declare its independence? A. May 5, 1821 B. May 5, 1776 C. September 15, 1821 D. September 16, 1810

3. Who was NOT a leader in Mexico’s fight for freedom? A. Hernan Cortes B. José Morelos C. Miguel Hidalgo D. Augustin de Iturbide

4. How long was Mexico’s fight for freedom? A. 1 year B. 5 years C. 11 years D. 10 years

5. Where did the fight for freedom begin? A. Mexico City B. Dolores C. Texas D. Spain

6. Who was the first leader of Mexico when it gained independence? A. Hernan Cortes B. José Morelos C. Miguel Hidalgo D. Augustin de Iturbide

7. How do Mexicans celebrate their independence day? A. Decorate with flowers B. Have parades C. Set off fireworks D. All of the above

8. What do the city leaders do every Independence Day? A. Re-enact the shout for freedom B. Make a toast to Mexico C. Have a barbeque D. Go to a rodeo

9. When does the celebration for Mexico’s Independence Day begin? A. The morning of Independence Day B. The night of Independence Day C. The day before Independence Day D. The evening before Independence Day

10. When did Mexico finally gain their freedom? A B C D. 1821

¡CORRECTO! GO TO: #1#2#3#4#5 #6#7#8#9#10

Sorry! Incorrect. Let’s read again… Mexico’s Declaration of Independence The main protagonists of the Independence were two priests Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and Jose Maria Morelos. On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo freed the prisoners in the town of Dolores, locked up the Spanish authorities and called the people to rebel by ringing the church bells. Hidalgo started out with 600 men, but soon had 100,000 and overran towns of central Mexico. Hidalgo was tricked, caught and condemned the following year and was executed by firing squad on July 30, Morelos led successful campaigns in 1812 and 1813, which included the capture of Acapulco, the main port on the Pacific coast. He was captured and shot on Dec. 22, Despite the setbacks, the independence movement continued under the Creole* colonel Augustin de Iturbide. On September 28, 1821, the first independent government was named with Iturbide at the head. Every year just before midnight on September 15 th, Mexicans shout the grito* honoring an impulsive and crucial action that was the catalyst* for the country’s bloody struggle for independence from Spain. On September 25, 1821 the Mexican state won its independence from the Spanish crown. ¡Viva México!* September 16 th is similar to July 4 th in the United States, and usually features rodeos, parades, bullfights, dances, and grand feasts. But September 15 th, or the eve of Independence Day is when the celebration really begins, as crowds gather in every village and town throughout Mexico. The pueblos* are decorated with red, white, and green flags and colorful flowers and music fills the air. As the clock begins to strike eleven, silence falls over the citizens as mayors across the land step forward to ring the symbolic liberty bell and give the “Grito de Dolores”* met with the crowd’s response of “¡Viva México!” People’s names are in bold *Creole = A person born in Spanish America, but of European or Spanish ancestry. *grito = shout *catalyst = something that starts an event to happen *¡Viva México! = Long live Mexico! *pueblos = towns *Grito de Dolores = the Cry from (the town of) Dolores Taken from: Click the button to go back when you think you’ve got the correct answer!

Sorry! Incorrect. Let’s study some more… Events in Mexico’s Path to Freedom 9/16/1810 – Father Miguel Hidalgo starts Mexico’s fight for freedom from Spain. 9/16/1821 – Mexico receives independence from Spain with Iturbide as their first leader. 7/30/1811 – Father Hidalgo captured and shot to death by firing squad. 12/1815 – José Morelos was executed – Father José Morelos lead revolutionaries to fight against Spain. 11/27/1521 – Hernan Cortes takes control of Mexico for Spain – Augustin de Iturbide guides Mexico to freedom from Spain. Almost 300 years later… Click the button to go back when you think you’ve got the correct answer!

¡Viva México! You have officially answered all questions on Mexican Independence Day correctly! ¡Adiós!

References: Washington, S. (2011). Mexico’s History: Independence from Spain, cont. Retrieved July 6, 2013 from Mexican Independence Timeline. (n.d.) Retrieved July 18, 2013 from