Question 1

Why did Father Miguel Hidalgo decide to launch the revolution in the middle of the night?

Accepted Answer

The revolution began prematurely at 2:30 a.m. on September 16, 1810, because the original conspiracy had been discovered by Spanish authorities. Hidalgo and his co-conspirators, including Ignacio Allende, had originally planned to start the uprising in October. However, after receiving a warning from Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez that the secret was out and arrests were being made, Hidalgo decided they had to act immediately, leading him to ring the church bell in Dolores to gather the townspeople.

Question 2

What were the primary grievances that led to the "Grito de Dolores"?

Accepted Answer

The rebellion was fueled by deep-seated social and political frustrations within the colonial system. Creoles, who were of Spanish descent but born in Mexico, were resentful because they were barred from the highest levels of government power, which were reserved for Spanish-born Peninsulares. Additionally, the movement was a response to a legitimacy crisis in 1808 when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and replaced King Ferdinand VII with his brother, Joseph. This caused colonists to question who held rightful authority over Mexico, while the lower classes sought an end to slavery, the return of stolen lands, and relief from centuries of oppression.

Question 3

Why did Hidalgo retreat when his army was on the doorstep of Mexico City?

Accepted Answer

In October 1810, after winning a costly battle at Monte de las Cruces, Hidalgo’s army of eighty thousand people had a clear path to the capital. However, he hesitated for three days and then ordered a retreat, a decision that remains a subject of historical debate. Some historians suggest he wanted to avoid a repeat of the violent massacre and looting that occurred in Guanajuato, while others believe his ragtag army was simply running out of essential supplies and ammunition. This retreat proved to be a fatal turning point, as it allowed the Spanish royalist forces time to reorganize and eventually defeat the rebels.

Question 4

How did the movement change under the leadership of José María Morelos?

Accepted Answer

Unlike Hidalgo, who led a massive but largely untrained "mob," Morelos was a military strategist who focused on creating a disciplined, professional army capable of holding territory through guerrilla warfare. Morelos also expanded the political vision of the movement through his document "Sentiments of the Nation," which formally declared independence from Spain and called for radical social reforms. He advocated for the total abolition of slavery, the end of the racial caste system, and the principle that all citizens should be equal before the law.

Question 5

How did the war finally end after a decade of stalemate?

Accepted Answer

The conflict ended through an unlikely political pivot in 1820 when a liberal revolution in Spain threatened the privileges of the conservative elite in Mexico. Fearing these new liberal reforms, wealthy Creoles and Church leaders who had previously fought against independence decided to support it to preserve their own status. Agustín de Iturbide, a royalist officer, joined forces with rebel leader Vicente Guerrero under the Plan of Iguala. This plan established the "Three Guarantees"—Religion, Independence, and Union—which unified the various factions and led to the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba in 1821, officially recognizing Mexico as an independent nation.

Mexican Independence and the Grito de Dolores

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