7 CONSEQUENCES OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF MEXICO - HISTORY - 2025

The most important consequences of the Independence of Mexico are the fall of the political and power caste, the political and economic crisis that it generated, the abolition of slavery or the promulgation of the Constitution of 1824.

The Independence of Mexico 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 Spain 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 viceroy imposed by the Spanish crown. This period was known as the viceroyalty.

For almost 300 years, life in New Spain was based on castes and forced labor, creating a feeling of oppression that would culminate when one of these tyrannized groups, led by priest Miguel Hidalgo, devised the struggle for independence.

At dawn on 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.

Main consequences of the Independence of Mexico

The independence process 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 about 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 run, independence would serve as political restructuring, but citizens of lower social and economic status did not benefit from these changes.

However, the consequences for the country, its development and the foundations of what it is now would be forged in this period.

1- Elimination of castes

Castes in Mexico

Since the beginning of the colonial era, New Spain's society was hierarchized by a caste system. This system separated people and gave them certain ranks based on their ethnicity, which dictated in part what activities individuals would engage in or exercise.

The “pure” Spaniards 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 land but not exercise any political work.

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 the father of independence, was a Creole and was motivated in part by the social inequality of this system.

When the war for independence was declared, the hierarchy by castes was eliminated and in the new independent Mexico, different aspects such as education or military experience would be the means by which politics were reached.

2- Economic crisis

The war of independence would be very costly for Mexico. The nation was devastated and impoverished, since 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, the majority of whom were field and mine workers. Furthermore, when the Spanish left the country they took all their wealth with them, further sinking the nation.

Mexico's economy was highly dependent on its silver and gold, but the mines were in the center of the country, an area heavily devastated by the war. Plantations were also destroyed, farms were burned, and livestock were slaughtered.

The lack of products led the rulers to export the most basic goods and, in the face of the economic crisis, the government decided to create more money, which led to high inflation and a strong devaluation of the currency.

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 culminated, there was no established plan on what would become of Mexico, the country being forged by incessant coups d'état.

During the next 30 years, Mexico would have about 50 rulers as a result of these military coups. Between 1821-1880, 61 people took over the country; other areas such as the ministry of finance were led by 112 leaders between 1830 and 1863.

4- A new form of government: the Mexican Empire

Antonio López de Santa Anna

After 11 years of struggle, in 1821 the throne previously occupied by the viceroy was free. 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 occupy the post -; and the Republicans, who feared a new regime and preferred a form of government such as in the United States.

When Francisco VII of Spain was called to take the throne, he declined saying that he did not recognize the Independence of Mexico, so the throne was assigned to Iturbide in 1822.

However, not everyone agreed with this measure and in 1823, Antonio López de Santa Anna started a movement to annul the monarchy and turn Mexico into a 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, stating that the US federal system could not function in Mexico due to 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 in three entities: executive, legislative and judicial. The constitution also established that the president would serve terms of 4 years.

In the same way, the demands of the centralists would be fulfilled, naming Catholicism the official religion of Mexico, in addition to granting privileges to the clergy and the military.

6- Abolition of slavery

Mexico, like the great majority of the countries of America received slaves as a result of colonization.

Searches to abolish this inhuman condition began in the cradle of independence, where the priest Hidalgo established, since his revolutionary decree in 1810, the liberation of slaves.

Just as the process of independence was long, the abolition of slavery was also delayed, since in all struggles, slavery took a back seat.

Even the emperor Agustín de Iturbide had difficulties, since to abolish slavery at that time was to meddle 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 elected president in the first elections in the country.

Victoria sought to be impartial in her government and her administration was positive in foreign policies, getting Europe to recognize the Independence of Mexico and forging friendly trade agreements.

However, his quest for fairness collided with his idea of ​​pleasing everyone. To that, added to the extremely volatile political situation in the country, Victoria had difficulty taking meaningful action.

As he signed treaties to delimit and secure the northern border, the country's economic condition was increasingly affected.

References

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