Importance of Mexican Independence Leaders

              The living conditions for colonial Mexico, as you know, were terrible. The natives were poorly treated, and longed for independence. Even some of the Spaniards who had moved to Mexico, wanted to be independent.⁵ In the early stages of the independence, very little was being done, they only had one goal, which was to be self-governed. The only problem was they were not a unified force, they were working in individual forces, ultimately achieving nothing. The one thing that they needed was a leader, someone who would unite them, someone to push them towards a similar goal, someone to even define that goal. During the course of the Mexican’s struggle for independence, there arose many great leaders, some were native Mexicans, some came from other countries, and some even came from Spaniard decent. But it is certain, that what really won them the war were the powerful leaders they had leading them.

            The first of these very influential leaders was Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.⁶ He was a French political, and he was also a priest. He had a deep interest in the Native Indians. He lived in Mexico, and one of his goals in life was bringing independence to Mexico. He was possibly the first leader to have arisen with the intention of freedom. His leader ship did not last long, although it did make a lasting effect on the path of the independence. He rallied a group of about 4,000 untrained men under his influence.⁷ He then led these men to the capital. There was then a huge fight, which ended in the tragic defeat of Hidalgo’s army. Most of his army was killed, and Hidalgo was executed in front of a firing squad. Although he was killed very quickly, he was an example to many people that independence was possible. This was considered the beginning of the war for independence. 

            There were a handful of Hidalgo’s men that went on to become leaders of a rebellion, but the most influential leaders was Jose Maria Morelos.⁸ After the tragic defect of Hidalgo, he wanted to carry on the rebellion. In June of 1813, he called a conference, with a representative from each providence. The purpose of this conference was to discuss the “Future of Mexico as an independent nation.” The major result of this conference, was they drafted up a document, which listed all of the things that they wanted to change in Mexico. They wanted popular sovereignty, universal male suffrage, to make the Roman Catholic Church the official church of Mexico, the abolish of slavery, the end of government monopolies, and the end to corporal punishment. After the Spanish government took notice of this convention, he was captured and executed the same way Hidalgo was. After Morelos died, there were not many influential leaders who arose for the next six years (1815-1821), as such, almost no progress towards independence happened in that time. Almost all of the fighting was by small guerrilla groups. Although Jose also died very quickly, he set the rules for what they were aiming for, and further helped the independence.

            Finally after this stand by, a hero emerges to finally take charge in the independence, Vincente Guerrero, but he has a foe, Sir Augustin de Iturbide.⁹ Augustin was the leader of a small army, sent by Vicery Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, to defeat Guerrero’s army. Augustin was responsible for persecuting many of Hidalgo and Morelo’s forces during their time. So it seemed he was very against independence. Guerrero and his army was in Oaxaca, when Augustin found him. What was supposed to be an easy slaughter for Augustin, turned into a negotiation. Augustin called a meeting with Guerrero to discuss the “principles of a renewed independence struggle.” Augustin tried to negotiate new terms of independence. He and Guerrero had negotiated and agreed on three new terms they would fight for. These terms were that Mexico would have an independent government that is ruled by a conservative European prince, the many peninsulas will have the same rights as the rest of Mexico, and the Roman Catholic Church would remain the official church of Mexico. This was called The Plan of Iguala.¹⁰ Augustin also vowed to help this new independence spread, and see to it until it was over. Augustin had changed from completely against the independence, to becoming the most influential person involved. Augustin rallied a huge army, his original and Gerrero’s combined, and spread this new independence. Other smaller forces joined this new independence, and the army became so large, Spain was forced to resign. Finally, on Spetember 27, 1821, the Treaty of Corboda was signed, which recognized Mexico as a free country under the terms of the Plan of Iguala. Finally Mexico had gained independence, with the help of many very influential leaders, who were vital, in the freedom of Mexico.