WARS OF INDEPENDENCE, PART III

I. Introduction

How did the process of independence in Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil differ from that of Spanish South America?

III. New Spain/Mexico

A. Background

1. 18th century: economic growth, especially silver mining (Guanajuato most productive mines)
2. Growing inequality in distribution of wealth
3. Growing landless population, especially in Bajio around Guanajuato
4. Series of agricultural crises, including 1810

B. Creole Response

1. Q1: Independence? Split
2. Q2: Prevent Rev from below? Split (there had been small revolts but no large-scale rebellion in the 18th century)

C. Revolution from Below, 1810-1815

1. Miguel Hidalgo, 1810-11: “Grito de Dolores” (September 15)

a. abolished slavery and Indian tribute, land reform
b. condoned pillage as instant retribution
c. attacked on Guanajuato (60,000 rebels); 300 Spaniards hiding in public granary were killed
d. some creoles withdrew support
e. Hidalgo captured 1811, executed

2. Jose Maria Morelos, 1811-15

a. reforms and independence
b. smaller and more disciplined army: guerrilla tactics and pillaging was punished
c. counterinsurgency by royalist army, scorched earth tactics against suspected villages

D. Independence from above

1. Counterinsurgency successful by 1820 (Royalist army included creole officers)
2. 1820 Spanish Constitution restored, but Spanish delegates in Parliament still treated Mexicans as 2nd-class citizens.
3. Creole Officer Agustín de Iturbide formed a coalition around a plan with three “guarantees”

a. Unity (i.e. of Spaniards whether born in America or Europe)
b. Religion
c. Home Rule

4. Spanish Parliament (Cortes) rejected Home Rule and Iturbide declared himself Emperor of an independent Mexico
5. 1823 Iturbide overthrown and Mexico became a federalist republic

II. Alternatives

A. Cuba: remained part of Spain until 1898

1. Post-1791 sugar boom
2. Slavery question
3. Spain made concessions to creoles

a. abolished tobacco monopoly
b. allowed trade with Britain
c. guarantee slave trade
d. creole appointments to bureaucracy

4. Stronghold of royal troops (Bolivar decided not to invade)
5. Independence from Spain in 1898 leads to dependence on U.S.

B. Brazil: independent but monarchy

1. Pombaline Reforms (similar to Bourbon Reforms)
2. 1807-21 Portuguese Royal Court in Rio de Janeiro (to escape Napoleon)
3. Concessions to Brazilian elites
4. 1820 Portuguese Parliament recalled King John; son Pedro stayed in Rio
5. 1822 Pedro I of Brazil declared independence; Brazil remained monarchy to 1889

IV. Conclusions

A. Common Elements

1. Creole grievances
2. Threat of rebellion from below
3. Political crisis of Spanish monarchy

B. Variations on responses to those elements

Question:

How did the process of independence in Mexico, Cuba, and Brazil differ from that of Spanish South America?

I.D. Terms:

Guanajuato (main city of the Bajío region)
Miguel Hidalgo
Grito de Dolores (1810)
José María Morelos
Agustín de Iturbide
Cuba
John VI of Portugal
Pedro I of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro

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