Freedom From the Spanish

The story of Mexican independence could not be told with considering the role of Guadalupe Victoria, Vicente Guerrero. Without, these men Mexico would not be the free from Spain’s Tierney.

Guadalupe Victoria was a Mexican politician and military officer who fought for independence from the Spanish Empire in the Mexican War of Independence. Guadalupe Victoria first joined in 1812, the insurgent forces of Hermenegildo Galeana. And later fought alongside José María Morelos at the siege of Cuautla.[i] He then participated in the assault on Oaxaca and joined the troops of Nicolas Bravo in Veracruz. He dedicated himself and his troops to controlling the passage of El Puente del Rey and became famous for his successful attacks on military convoys until 1815, when he was defeated.[ii]

Vicente Guerrero joined in the early revolt against Spain in 1810, first fighting alongside José María Morelos. He then joined the rebellion in November 1811 and enlisted in a division that fought for independence with their leader José María Morelos who had organized to fight in southern Mexico. Guerrero then distinguished himself in the battle of Izúcar, and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel when the rebel forces claimed Oaxaca. When Mexico eventually achieved its independence, he collaborated with Agustín de Iturbide, who proposed that the two join forces under what they referred to as the Three Guarantees. Iturbide's stated his ideas that Mexico be made an independent constitutional monarchy, the abolition of class distinctions between Spaniards, creoles, mestizos and Indians, and that Catholicism be made the state religion earned Guerrero's support; After marching into the capital.[iii] Congress proclaimed Iturbide the Emperor of Mexico. However, when Iturbide's policies supported the interests of Mexico's wealthy landowners through continued economic exploitation of the poor and working classes. [iv]Guerrero turned against him and came out in favor of a Republic with the Plan of Casa Mata.

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[i] Smith, Michael E. The Aztecs. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishers Inc., 1996.

[ii] Gibson, Charles. The Aztecs under Spanish rule. California, Stanford, 1964.

[iii] Ibid

[iv] Vaillant, George C. Aztecs of Mexico. New York: Doubleday & Company Inc., 1953.