Mexican Independence and the Rise of Mexican Liberalism

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the insurgent struggle, Spanish political crisis, key leaders, and constitutional foundations of Mexican Independence.

Triple Revolution

The convergence of the Industrial Revolution (late 18th century), the American Revolution ($1776$-$1783$), and the French Revolution ($1789$-$1799$), which redefined core political concepts such as sovereignty, nation, liberty, and equality.

Crisis of 1808 in New Spain

The political instability triggered when the troops of Napoleón Bonaparte invaded Spain after taking Portugal, confronting New Spain's subjects with the dilemma of whether to pledge allegiance to King Fernando VII or to French rule.

Ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de México (1808 Proposal)

The municipal government of Mexico City that argued sovereignty had reverted to the realm due to the absence of the monarch, calling on Viceroy José Iturrigaray to convene a congress of town councils to govern.

Gabriel de Yermo

A wealthy landowner who commanded roughly $300$ men on the midnight of September 15, $1808$, to execute a coup d'état that imprisoned Viceroy José Iturrigaray and leaders of the Mexico City town council.

Pedro de Garibay

The oldest military officer in the kingdom, appointed viceroy by the coup conspirators in September $1808$, who supported Spanish opposition to Napoleonic rule and repressed autonomy advocates.

Cédula de Consolidación de Vales

A royal measure that disamortized community chests, pious works, and chaplaincies, whose continued enforcement under Pedro de Garibay provoked anger from both colonists and the Catholic Church.

Francisco Primo de Verdad

A legal scholar and proponent of sovereignty residing in institutions and cabildos who died in the dungeons of the Arzobispado after being arrested during the $1808$ coup d'état.

Melchor de Talamantes

A Mercedarian friar and intellectual supporter of New Spain's autonomy who died imprisoned in the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa following the coup of $1808$.

Francisco Xavier Lizana

The archbishop appointed viceroy of New Spain by the Junta of Seville, whose tenure coincided with crop-destroying droughts, grain shortages, and widespread conspiracies.

Conspiración de Valladolid (1809)

A clandestine $1809$ movement whose primary goal was to preserve the territory for King Fernando VII against French threats and rule without authorization from the Junta of Seville.

Creole Reformist Project (1808-1810)

An early movement led by wealthy Creoles seeking administrative and government reform within monarchical law to shift bureaucratic offices and benefits from peninsulares to themselves, without overturning the colonial social order.

Popular Base of Hidalgo's Movement

The excluded lower social classes—indigenous peoples, castas, miners, peasants, day laborers, and artisans—mobilized by Miguel Hidalgo, introducing a violent and radical social dynamic that horrified elite Creoles like Aldama.

Grito de Dolores

The proclamation delivered by Miguel Hidalgo in September $1810$ that launched the armed insurrection ahead of schedule after the planned December conspiracy was discovered.

Alhóndiga de Granaditas

A public granary in Guanajuato where unchecked insurgent violence erupted during Hidalgo's campaign, and where the severed heads of Hidalgo, Allende, and other executed insurgent leaders were later displayed.

Battle of Puente de Calderón

A major battle on January 17, $1811$, where $5\,000$ disciplined royalist soldiers defeated $90\,000$ poorly equipped insurgents, leading to the removal of Hidalgo from military command by Allende and Aldama.

Suprema Junta Gubernativa de América

An insurgent governing body established in Zitácuaro by Ignacio López Rayón under Hidalgo's instructions to provide the movement with legal and legitimate authority, later dislodged by Félix María Calleja.

Congreso de Anáhuac

An insurgent congress convened by José María Morelos on September 13, $1813$, at the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción in Chilpancingo to organize government and declare sovereignty.

Sentimientos de la Nación

A visionary political document read by José María Morelos on September 14, $1813$, establishing the total independence of América Mexicana, popular sovereignty, three branches of government, and laws moderating opulence and poverty.

Siervo de la Nación

The humble title adopted by José María Morelos after the Congreso de Anáhuac designated him head of the executive power following the declaration of independence.

Constitution of Cádiz (1812)

A liberal Spanish constitution enacted during King Fernando VII's absence that established a constitutional monarchy, divided powers, ended the Inquisition, granted press freedom, and replaced viceroys with jefes políticos.

Constitution of Apatzingán (1814)

An insurgent constitutional decree promulgated on October 22, $1814$, that introduced a legal framework to legitimize the armed independence movement and declared the Mexican nation's right to liberty, independence, and happiness.

Liberalismo Mexicano (Progresión 2)

The political, juridical, and social philosophy that defined the foundation of the Mexican Republic and established its modern institutional and legal life.