QUERÉTARO CONSPIRACY: CAUSES, DEVELOPMENT, CONSEQUENCES - HISTORY - 2025

The Conspiracy of Querétaro was a series of meetings that had the purpose of preparing an uprising against the government of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It took place in the city of Santiago de Querétaro, in 1810, and is considered the most immediate antecedent of the first stage of the War of Independence.

A large group of soldiers, lawyers, merchants and some ecclesiastical, such as Miguel Hidalgo, participated in the Querétaro Conspiracy. Most of them were Creoles, who were increasingly influential in New Spain. However, the laws of the viceroyalty prevented them from reaching important positions.

Miguel Hidalgo. Source: By Jaontiveros, via Wikimedia Commons

The Napoleonic invasion of Spain and the loss of the crown by Ferdinand VII was the initial trigger for this and other conspiracies. The conspirators did not seek independence, but rather to create autonomous governments in obedience to the Spanish monarchy. It was the reaction of the New Spain authorities that changed the initial purpose.

The failure of the Conspiracy of Querétaro had the immediate consequence of Hidalgo's launch of the Grito de Dolores. With that proclamation, the priest called for a generalized armed insurrection.

Background

The Queretaro Conspiracy was the last of several conspiracies calling for changes in New Spain. Among the above, we can mention that of the Machetes, at the end of the 18th century, or that of Valladolid, a few months before that of Querétaro.

The context of the time in the viceroyalty had caused the economic rise of the Creoles. Despite this, the laws prevented them from occupying certain positions, reserved exclusively for peninsular Spaniards.

To this must be added the influence of the new thoughts brought by the Enlightenment. The French Revolution and the Independence of the United States led to the spread of liberal ideas and contrary to absolutism.

Napoleonic invasion of Spain

The political situation in the metropolis was one of the reasons that gave rise to the movements in search of self-government in New Spain. Napoleon, with the excuse of invading Portugal, had occupied Spain.

The result was the fall of the Spanish kings and the arrival to the Hispanic throne of his own brother, José Bonaparte. This, which happened in 1808, caused concern in New Spain, whose authorities refused to pass into French hands.

In Spain, the faithful to Fernando VII organized a series of Juntas to organize resistance against the French. These governing bodies were created in various parts of the peninsula and swore allegiance to the deposed king. That model was the one that the first conspirators tried to copy in New Spain.

Context in New Spain

Among the problems that afflicted New Spain at that time, the great existing social inequality stood out. The laws enacted had led to the appearance of enormous economic and rights differences between the different sectors, with the Spanish being the ones who enjoyed the most privileges.

Among those who were harmed were the Creoles, whose numbers did not stop growing. This group had gained in economic and intellectual influence, but the most important positions in the administration were closed to them.

In the last step were the indigenous and mestizos, with hardly any rights and, in addition, with a miserable economic situation.

When the news came of the appointment of José Bonaparte as King of Spain, no one in the viceroyalty recognized his authority. The criollos began to demand an autonomous government, although loyal to Fernando VII.

Conspiracy of Valladolid

In September 1809 the so-called Conspiracy of Valladolid took place. This conspiracy is considered the initiator of the movements that would lead, years later, to independence.

The participants in this conspiracy wanted to create a Junta in New Spain in the image of those that had been formed in the peninsula. It would be an autonomous government, but under the authority of King Fernando VII. Despite the fact that this was the majority position, some supporters of absolute independence were already beginning to appear.

The insurgents themselves declared that their intention was "after taking over the situation of the province, to form a Congress in the capital to govern in the name of the king in the event that Spain fell in the fight against Napoleon."

Causes

The causes of the Conspiracy of Querétaro were a sum of the social evolution of New Spain and the events that took place in Spain and in the rest of the world.

Change in the Spanish throne

The appointment of José Bonaparte and, therefore, the loss of the crown by the Spanish kings, caused concern in the then colony. No social sector recognized the legitimacy of Bonaparte, remaining faithful in their majority to Fernando VII.

Social inequality

Although the most disadvantaged were the indigenous and mestizos, it was the Creoles who organized to demand improvements. This is because, over the years, his academic training had improved and his income and influence had increased.

However, the recurring complaint was that the laws kept them away from any position of power. These were reserved for the peninsular.

Influence of liberal ideas

It was precisely access to quality education that allowed part of the Creoles to follow the international news. The French and American Revolutions helped spread liberal ideas, equality, and contrary to absolutism.

Development

Santiago de Querétaro, 221 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, was the main scene of the Conspiracy of Querétaro. The objective that moved the participants was to replace the viceroyalty authorities with a Junta that governed the territory in the name of Fernando VII.

Venue of the meetings

The meetings between the conspirators took place in the house of José Miguel Domínguez, at that time magistrate of Querétaro. Along with him, he also highlighted the participation of his wife, Josefa Ortiz Dominguez.

Other assiduous assistants to these meetings were Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, the lawyer Juan Nepomuceno Mier, the merchants Hemeterio and Hepigemeno González and the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

Search for a popular leader

At first, it was Ignacio Allende who took the role of leader of the Conspiracy.

Allende, with ideas close to those of Primo de Verdad, thought that the inhabitants of the colony should form a Junta to govern New Spain. Its purpose, in that early period, was not pro-independence, since it intended to keep Fernando VII as monarch.

The vast majority of the participants were Creoles, who were the most politically aware group. However, they soon realized that, to succeed, he needed popular support, including from indigenous people.

To get that support, it was necessary to look for a figure who would mobilize the lower classes, someone with charisma. The chosen one was a priest assigned to Dolores, Miguel Hidalgo. This, thanks to his work with the inhabitants of the area, had achieved great prestige.

Organization of the meetings

One of the conspirators' concerns was that their intentions were discovered by the viceregal authorities. Therefore, the meetings were prepared with the utmost secrecy.

On the one hand, Allende invited the participants to parties at his brother Domingo's house. While those who were not aware danced, the conspirators took the opportunity to discuss their plans in a sheltered area of ​​the home.

Also the meetings that were held in the Corregidor's house had their own coverage. In theory, these were literary gatherings, which Domínguez was very fond of and, therefore, did not arouse suspicion.

First agreement

One of the first agreements the conspirators reached was to try to broaden their supporters. Thus, they decided to send emissaries to the peoples of the region, trying to get them to join the conspiracy.

The plan was that, once they had a significant number of supporters, they would all go to San Juan de Lagos during their fiestas. That was when they wanted to start the fight.

Board Intent

The initial date of the uprising should be early December 1810. Later, it was advanced to October of that same year. The plan was to make a quick move that would surprise the Spanish and, from there, try to conquer the capital of the viceroyalty.

Once achieved, it would be time to decide how to organize the new government. The intention was to leave the Spaniards free to decide to remain in New Spain or return to the peninsula.

Finally, the conspirators reached an agreement that, if they did not achieve their objectives, they would go to the United States to request help for their cause.

Conspiracy Discovery

Despite all the precautions the plans ended up being known. The historians point out that it could be due to the confession of a detainee or the complaint of a postal employee. However, as the components of the conspiracy were not known, the first complaint was made to Corregidor Domínguez.

He ordered the arrest of some suspects, hoping that would slow down further investigations. This did not happen and the Spanish took action. On September 11, 1810, the viceroyalty authorities tried to capture the rebels, although they only managed to arrest one.

Josefa Ortiz, the mayor's wife, played a key role at that time. Once she had news of the raid, she alerted Allende to bring the rest of the conspirators to safety.

Allende quickly went to Dolores, where Hidalgo was. There, he related to the priest what had happened and proposed to gather those who were still free in Dolores itself.

Hidalgo decided to take the lead and announced that it was time to rise up in arms with these of their own. "I've thought about it well, and I see that, in effect, we have no other choice, than to catch gachupines, so we'll finish having dinner and we will start "

Consequences

Pain scream

Hidalgo was not slow to take action. Just hours after his meeting with Allende, he summoned the townspeople by ringing the church bells.

It was on September 16, 1810 when the priest launched the so-called Grito de Dolores. His speech called on those present and the entire nation to take up arms to end the viceregal authorities. At that time he was still loyal to Fernando VII, but that changed over time.

That same night, Hidalgo and his family went to jail to free some 80 prisoners. The small detachment armed themselves with what they found, many only with spears and machetes. Within hours, more than 600 men joined his call.

Start of the War of Independence

Little by little, the news about the rebellion reached the entire territory of what was then New Spain. The rebels were adding support, coming to form an authentic army that faced the Spanish.

The first stage of the War of Independence began with victories for the men of Hidalgo and Allende.

However, it was only the beginning of a struggle, which would still last several years, and which ended up achieving independence from Mexico.

Main characters

Miguel Hidalgo

The so-called priest of Dolores is considered one of the fathers of the independence of Mexico. Miguel Hidalgo was born in Guanajuato in May 1753 and, very young, became a teacher of Theology. He was ordained a priest in 1778.

Hidalgo won the trust of the popular sectors of his state thanks to his actions on their behalf. This made the conspirators of Querétaro come to him to join their plans.

On September 16, 1810, he launched the famous Grito de Dolores ”, considered the beginning of the War of Independence. He was appointed head of the insurgent armies and organized an autonomous government in Guadalajara.

Among the most prominent laws enacted by that government are the abolition of slavery and the repeal of taxes paid by indigenous people.

Miguel Hidalgo was captured while trying to escape to the United States, pursued by the Spanish troops who were successfully counterattacking. He was shot in Chihuahua on July 30, 1811.

Ignacio Allende

Ignacio Allende came to the world in January 1769 in the town of San Miguel de Allende. He entered the army young, serving in the cavalry.

Allende was among the organizers of the Conspiracy of Querétaro. After the Grito de Dolores, he was appointed Captain General and participated in battles such as the taking of Alhóndiga de Granaditas. The victory at Monte de las Cruces made him think that they could take the capital quickly, but for some inexplicable reason, Hidalgo preferred to withdraw.

Shortly after, after some military defeat, Hidalgo replaced Allende at the head of the army. Finally, Allende was captured by the royalists in Acatita de Baján. On June 26, 1811, he was shot in Chihuahua.

Miguel Dominguez

Born in Mexico City in January 1757, Domínguez was appointed Corregidor de Querétaro in 1802. His biographers affirm that he tried to stop the abuses committed against the natives by their employers.

Domínguez was one of the ideologues of the Conspiracy of Querétaro. The preparatory meetings for the insurrection took place at his home.

Miguel was taken prisoner in 1813, although he was released shortly after. After independence, he participated in one of the triumvirates that ruled Mexico after the fall of Iturbide. He died in the capital on April 22, 1830.

Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez

Born in Morelia, Josefa Ortiz was born in April 1773 and was the wife of Corregidor Domínguez. Together with her husband, she was the host of the meetings of the conspirators of Querétaro and had a special involvement in various actions.

When the Spanish discovered the conspiracy, Josefa Ortiz took the risk to warn Allende, who managed to flee to Dolores to meet with Hidalgo.

Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez died on March 2, 1829, in Mexico City.

Juan Aldama

Juan Aldama was, like Allende, a career military man. He was born in January 1774, in Guanajuato and was involved from the beginning in the Conspiracy of Querétaro.

Miguel Hidalgo appointed him Coronal Lieutenant of the insurgent army and participated in the victory achieved at Monte de las Cruces.

Along with Hidalgo, Aldama was taken prisoner while trying to flee to the United States. He was shot in Chihuahua on June 26, 1811.

References

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5. Minster, Christopher. The "Cry of Dolores" and Mexican Independence. Retrieved from thoughtco.com
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