Volume 16 Number 008 Mexico (9): Miguel Hidalgo Lead: in 1810

Volume 16 Number 008 Mexico (9): Miguel Hidalgo

Lead: In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo led an uprising against Spanish colonial rule in Mexico. Although he was defeated, he became a symbol of Mexican Independence.

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: Miguel Hidalgo was born in 1753 in the central highlands of Mexico near Guanajuato. Hidalgo was a “criollo” – born in Mexico but with Spanish ancestry. He studied in Valladolid, now Morelia in central Mexico, at first with the Jesuits, and, after their expulsion, at the College of San Nicolas Obisbo where he earned a degree in theology, philosophy and the liberal arts. He was most certainly influenced by the subversive ideas of the Enlightenment. Ordained a Catholic priest in 1778 he taught as well as doing parish work. Hidalgo was a most complex man, some would say poorly managing his passions. He loved gambling, owned multiple haciendas, and fathered several children, but at the same time combined his spiritual duties with a keen sense of social justice. In 1803 Father Hidalgo moved to Dolores, a town in the Mexican highlands of mostly poor indigenous people. He introduced new farming techniques and helped to develop a brick-making and pottery industry.

During the colonial period in Mexico, many Catholic priests, like Hidalgo, were trusted and respected by the native peoples because they defended them against exploitation by Spanish authorities. Along with his fellow creoles, he nursed powerful resentments against the native-born Spanish who dominated the government and the economy of New Spain. The creoles formed secret societies and fomented plots to wrest control of the colonial government and Father Hidalgo soon became involved in one of those plots.

On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo rang the church bell in Dolores to call his parishioners and followers to action. His speech, known as the “Grito de Dolores” (cry of Dolores), called for a revolt. Although Hidalgo’s ragtag army had short term success, he was captured, defrocked and executed the following year. Ten years later Mexico won its independence from Spain. Independence Day in Mexico is celebrated on September 16th, the day of Hidalgo’s proclamation of freedom.

At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

Resources

Foster, Lynn V. A Brief History of Mexico. New York: Checkmark Books, 2007.

Hamnett, Brian R. A Concise History of Mexico. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006.

“History of the Afro-Mexican.” Mexonline.com. 30 November 2009 .

Lencheck, Shep. “The Catholic Church in Mexico, Triumphs and Traumas.” Mexconnect. 30 November 2009 < http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/668-the-catholic- church-in-mexico-triumphs-and-traumas>.

“Mexico.” Countries and Their Cultures. 29 November 2009 < http://www.everyculture.com/index.html>.

Meyer, Michael C. and William H. Beezley, eds. The Oxford History of Mexico. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.