The Consequences of Mexico's independence Most prominent are the fall of the caste, the political and economic crisis that generated, the abolition of slavery or the promulgation of the Constitution of 1824.
This movement was an armed conflict that developed between 1810 and 1821. Led by Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos, it culminated in the autonomy of the New-Hispanic people and the consolidation of Mexico as an independent nation.
Since 1521, the territory now known as Mexico had been colonized by Spain. This colony was baptized as New Spain and was governed by a virrey imposed by the Spanish crown. This period was known as Viceroy .
For nearly 300 years, Life in New Spain Was based on castes and forced labor, creating a sense of oppression that would culminate when one of these tyrannical groups, led by the priest Miguel Hidalgo, devised the Fight for independence .
In the early hours of September 16, 1810, after months of clandestine political discussion with revolutionary groups, the priest Hidalgo declared war against the government of the colony.
This moment began the war of independence, in which millions of Mexicans fought.
You may be interested The 40 Best Phrases of the Independence of Mexico .
Main consequences of Mexico's independence
The process of independence was long, since it took 11 years of gestation. The consequences of this struggle had repercussions in all the political, social and economic aspects of the country.
Great disagreements over the future that the nation would take, the new form of government and the representations of all political ideas would end in a new crisis for the country.
In the long term, independence would serve as a political restructuring, but citizens of lower social and economic standing were not benefited by these changes.
However, the consequences for the country, its development and the bases of what is now would be forged in this period.
1- Elimination of caste
From the beginning of the colonial era, the New-Hispanic society was hierarchized by a caste system.
This system separated people and gave them certain ranks based on their ethnicity, which dictated in part to what activities individuals would engage or could exercise.
The"pure"Spanish born in Europe were the only ones who could hold public office, and at a lower level were the Creoles , Europeans born in America, who could acquire lands but did not carry out any political work.
Castes in Mexico
At first, the castes were divided into 16 main hierarchies, but there came a time when these could no longer be counted objectively thanks to the constant mixing.
The priest Hidalgo, called father of independence, was Creole and was motivated in part by the social inequality of this system.
When the war of independence was declared, rank hierarchy was eliminated and in the new independent Mexico, different aspects such as education or military experience would be the means by which the policy was reached.
2- Economic crisis
The war of independence would be very costly for Mexico. The nation was devastated and impoverished, as its main economic activities (agriculture, mining and industrial production) were abandoned by the workers, who went to fight on the battlefield.
At this stage, Mexico lost half a million people in combat, who were mostly field workers and miners.
Moreover, when the Spaniards left the country they took with them all their wealth, further plunging the nation.
The economy of Mexico was very dependent on its silver and gold, but the mines were in the center of the country, area heavily devastated by the war. Plantations were also destroyed, haciendas were burned, and cattle were sacrificed.
The lack of products led the government to export the most basic goods and, faced with the economic crisis, the government decided to create more money, which led to high inflation and strong currency devaluation.
3- Political crisis
The long battle for independence was Fought by different sides , All with different ideas about the new independent nation.
When the struggle was over, there was no established plan for what would become of Mexico, the country being forged by incessant coups.
During the next 30 years, Mexico would have about 50 rulers, the result of these military coups. Between 1821 and 1880, 61 people took over the country; Other areas such as the finance ministry were led by 112 leaders between 1830 and 1863.
4- A new form of government: the Mexican Empire
After 11 years of struggle, in 1821 the throne previously occupied by the viceroy was released. In the dissolution of independence, it was established that Mexico would be a constitutional monarchy ; While a monarch is in charge of the executive power, the congress would lead the legislative power.
The country was divided between monarchists - who supported the implementation of the monarchy and supported Agustín de Iturbide to take the place -; And the Republicans, who feared a new regime and preferred a form of government as in the United States.
Antonio López de Santa Anna
When Francisco VII of Spain was called to take the throne, this declined saying that it did not recognize the independence of Mexico, reason why the throne was assigned to Iturbide in 1822.
However, not all were in agreement with this measure and in 1823, Antonio López de Santa Anna initiated a movement to annul the monarchy and to turn to Mexico in republic. Iturbide would abdicate the throne in 1823.
5- The constitution of 1824
After several political battles, a group of federalists planned to model a constitution similar to that of the United States.
Opponents refused, claiming that the US federal system could not function in Mexico because of the differences between these two nations.
However, the federalists won the debate, thus creating the Constitution of the United Mexican States in 1824.
Mexico would be organized by 19 states and 4 territories, being the separation of power into three entities: executive, legislative and judicial. The constitution also established that the president would comply with terms of 4 years.
In the same way the demands of the centralists would be fulfilled, naming Catholicism the official religion of Mexico, besides granting privileges to the clergy and the militia.
6- Abolition of slavery
Mexico, as the great majority of the countries of America received slaves as a result of the colonization .
Searches to abolish this inhuman condition began in the cradle of independence, where the priest Hidalgo established, from his revolutionary decree in 1810, the liberation of slaves.
Just as the process of independence was long, the abolition of slavery was also delayed, because in all struggles, slavery passed into the background.
Even the emperor Augustine de Iturbide had difficulties, because to abolish the slavery in that then was to put itself with private property.
It would not be until the creation of the Constitution of 1824 that it was established that no citizen of Mexican soil would be treated or sold as a slave, putting an end to this practice in the country.
7- The first president of Mexico
After the abdication of Agustín de Iturbide, Guadalupe Victoria was elect president in the first elections of the country.
Victoria sought to be impartial in her government and her administration was positive in foreign policies, making Europe recognize the independence of Mexico and forging trade-friendly treaties.
However, his quest for impartiality clashed with his idea of pleasing everyone. To that, adding to the extremely volatile political situation of the country, Victoria had difficulty carrying out significant actions.
While signing treaties to delimit and secure the northern border, the country's economic condition was increasingly affected.
References
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- Embassy of Mexico (s.f.) After Independence. Embassy of Mexico in the United States. Recovered from embamex.sre.gob.mx.
- Grier, R. (s.f.) Political Instability After Independence. Marginal Revolution University. Retrieved from mr university.com.
- Grier, R. (s.f.) The Economic Effects of the War of Independence. Marginal Revolution University. Retrieved from mruniversity.com.
- Historical Present (2011) Consequences of the Mexican War. The Historic Present. Retrieved from thehistoricpresent.com.
- Mayer, E. (2012) Mexico After Independence. Dr. E's Social Science e-Zine. Recovered from emayzine.com.
- New World Encyclopedia (2012) Mexican War of Independence. New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from newworldencyclopedia.org.
- Olveda, J. (2013) The abolition of slavery in Mexico 1810-1917. SciELO Review. Recovered from scielo.org.mx.