Assignment 5A

Assignment 5A

The Latin American Independence is the period of time that the Penisulares(European born) and the creoles( Europeans that were born in the New World) struggled to take financial control of their regions. This means that they were trying to govern themselves and wanted financial and political freedom from their colonizers. This was a long struggle that would see areas that were won back and forth from each side. This signifies how the natives helped to fight for the return of their country and how the creoles who no longer wanted the European control of their colonies. This was the beginning of a new era for Latin America that would take them on a rollorcoaster ride that would be a significant part of their culture.

http://science.jrank.org/pages/8295/Anticolonialism-in-Latin-America-Independence.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_War_of_Independence

The person I chose to write about was Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. I was always curious about him and wondered what his significance was to Mexico's history not to mention the famous quote" Mexicanos, Viva Mexico!" I have heard this many times and never knew its meaning until now.
For many years the creoles(Spaniards born in New World) were dissatisfied with the fact that they were considered a lower class and had less rights than their Spanish born neighbors. They felt that because their blood was pure that they should have the same privilege's than the Gachopines( Spaniards born in Spain). At first, they had not considered to ask the native born Mexican Indians to join in their struggle but eventually they did.

In 1808, the decision of Napoleon to remove King Ferdinand VII of Spain with his brother Joseph Bonaparte gave the creoles the chance that they were looking for. Many people did not know how to feel about this and secret meetings took place by different groups who were not sure what they should do. The Gachopines who were loyal now to Joseph Bonaparte were faced with many who declared their allegiance to King Ferdinand VII.


On September 16, 1810, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bell as he did every night to call the Mestizos ( Native Indians) to mass in Dolores, Mexico. But on this night he did not call for a usual mass. Tonight he was yelling at them "Mexicanos Viva Mexico!" This famous cry was to urge the natives and creoles "Mexican born Spaniards" to come together and fight against the gachopines (Spanish born colonizers). He tried to convince the creoles who were trying to fight the gachopines on their own for control of the area. The Gachopines were given higher class rights than the creoles because they were born in Spain. This struggle allowed many of the creoles to make the decision to join with the natives and fight against the Spanish. Hidalgo was joined by Ignacio Allende also a creole and a military officer that helped Hidalgo conquer many colonies.

Eventually, he was defeated and on July 11, 1811 was shot by firing squad. Before he was tried for treason he thanked his jailers for their humane treatment of him and was sorry for all of the bloodshed but, stood his ground that Mexico needed its independence. He was decapitated and his head was displayed so that other Mexicans could see and be intimidated. Even though he was captured Hidalgo is considered the Father of Mexican Independence.
http://www.mexonline.com/mexican-independence.htm

http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/kids/history/html/independ/biohidalgo.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Hidalgo_y_Costilla

The sources I chose are highlighted websites. I think that they are credible because I cross referenced them with each other and they all seem to conquer.