Mexico Gains Independence from Spain
Mexico's journey to independence from Spain culminated on August 23, 1821, marking the end of over three centuries of colonial rule. Originally part of the vast Spanish Empire known as New Spain, Mexico's population had evolved through Europeanization and cultural integration after the territory was conquered in the 16th century. The political landscape shifted dramatically during the Napoleonic Wars, which led to a crisis in Spain and sparked rebellion among various factions in Mexico. The independence movement gained momentum in 1810, initiated by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, followed by José María Morelos, both of whom faced capture and execution. The protracted conflict continued until a liberal revolution in Spain allowed Mexican factions to unite, resulting in the Treaty of Aquala and Mexico's official independence. However, gaining sovereignty did not bring peace; the nation soon faced internal struggles for power, notably with General Agustín de Iturbide declaring himself emperor. Furthermore, Mexico experienced significant territorial losses, including parts of its land to the United States and the brief occupation by French forces, issues that would shape its future political and social landscape.
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Mexico Gains Independence from Spain
Mexico Gains Independence from Spain
The Central American nation of Mexico was once New Spain, a sprawling region of the Spanish Empire extending from California and the American Southwest down toward South America. After centuries under European rule, Mexico gained its independence from the Spanish Empire on August 23, 1821.
The immense lands which constituted the region known as New Spain had been conquered in the 16th century from the Aztecs and other tribal peoples who could not possibly match the weapons and resources of the Spanish at the time, but by the early 19th century the growing colonial population had been Europeanized. After the Napoleonic Wars erupted in Europe and Spain itself was taken by the French in 1808, political factions within Mexico decided to rebel. Some of them were motivated by genuine patriotism and a desire for national self-determination, others by sheer opportunism. The revolution began in force in 1810 under a priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who had some victories but was eventually captured and executed in 1811. He was succeeded by José María Morelos y Pavón, who was also captured and executed in 1815. The civil war dragged on until 1820, when a liberal revolution within Spain itself enabled the various political factions in Mexico to unite and forge an agreement with Spain.
Under the terms of the Treaty of Aquala, signed on August 23, 1821, Mexico was declared to be independent of Spain and inherited the vast lands of what had been New Spain. Unfortunately for Mexico, however, independence did not end the civil wars. Beginning with General Agustín de Iturbide's decision to declare himself emperor of Mexico in 1822, a series of struggles for political control erupted that would plague the nation well into the 20th century. There were massive territorial losses as well: California and what is now the American Southwest were taken by the United States in the 1840s. The states of Central America to the south declared independence. Mexico itself was even briefly conquered by the French, although it was able to regain its freedom within a few years.