Father Miguel Hidalgo kicked off Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain on September 16, 1810 when he issued his famous "Cry of Dolores" in which he exhorted Mexicans to rise up and throw off Spanish tyranny. For almost a year, Hidalgo led the independence movement, battling Spanish forces in and around Central Mexico. He was captured and executed in 1811, but others picked up the struggle and Hidalgo is today considered the father of the country.
1. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
1864 Painting by Joaquin Ramirez
Father Miguel Hidalgo was an unlikely revolutionary. Well into his 50's, Hidalgo was a parish priest and noted theologian with no real history of insubordination. Inside the quiet priest beat the heart of a rebel, however, and on September 16, 1810 he took to the pulpit in the town of Dolores and demanded that the people take up arms and free their nation.
2. The Cry of Dolores
Public Domain
By September, 1810 Mexico was ready for a revolt: all it needed was a spark. The Mexicans were unhappy with increased taxes and Spanish indifference to their plight. Spain itself was in chaos: King Ferdinand VII was a "guest" of the French, who ruled Spain. When Father Hidalgo issued his famous "Grito de Dolores" Or "Cry of Dolores" calling for the people to take up arms, thousands responded: within weeks he had an army large enough to threaten Mexico City itself.
3. Ignacio Allende, Soldier of Independence
Public Domain Image
As charismatic as Hidalgo was, he was no soldier. It was crucial, then, that at his side was Captain Ignacio Allende. Allende had been a co-conspirator with Hidalgo before the Cry of Dolores, and he commanded a force of loyal, trained soldiers. When the war of independence broke out, he helped Hidalgo immeasurably. Eventually the two men had a falling out, but soon realized that they needed each other.
4. The Siege of Guanajuato
Public Domain Image
On September 28, 1810, an angry mass of Mexican insurgents led by Father Miguel Hidalgo descended on the hapless mining city of Guanajuato. The Spaniards in the city quickly organized a defense, fortifying the public granary. The mob of thousands was not to be denied, however, and after a five-hour siege the granary was overrun and all inside massacred.
5. The Battle of Monte de las Cruces
Painting by Ramon Perez
In late October of 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo led an angry mob of close to 80,000 poor Mexicans towards Mexico City. The residents of the city were terrified. Every available royalist soldier was sent out to meet Hidalgo's army, and on October 30 the two armies met at Monte de las Cruces. Would arms and discipline prevail over numbers and rage?
6. The Battle of Calderon Bridge
1864 Painting by Joaquin Ramirez
In January of 1811, Mexican rebels under Miguel Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende were on the run from royalist forces. Picking advantageous ground, they prepared to defend the Calderon Bridge which leads into Guadalajara. Could the rebels hold out against the smaller but better trained and equipped Spanish Army?
