CONSPIRACY OF VALLADOLID: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES - HISTORY - 2025

The Valladolid Conspiracy was an attempt to create a political and administrative body that would exercise power in New Spain. This conspiracy is seen as the first link in the chain that would later lead to independence. This conspiracy took place in the city of Valladolid, today called Morelia.

The existence of a large group of Creoles who are beginning to think of self-government is the reason why it is known as the "Ideological Cradle of Independence." Despite this, the conspiracy of 1809 was not formally intended to declare independence.

José Mariano Michelena, lieutenant of the Crown Infantry Regiment and organizer of meetings within the framework of the Conspiracy

The movement took place after the entry of Napoleon into Spain and the replacement of Ferdinand VII by José Bonaparte as king. The conspirators wanted to create a junta to rule on behalf of the Spanish monarch, waiting for the French to be expelled from the throne.

Finally, the conspiracy did not succeed, but it was the starting point for other similar ones throughout the viceroyalty and, what is more important, an inspiration for many movements that would later fight for independence.

Background

It is important to know the historical-political context of the time and not only in the viceroyalty. The situation in Spain and the characteristics of the city of Valladolid are elements without which this conspiracy would not have occurred.

Context in Spain

In Spain at that time a series of events were taking place that are of special relevance to understanding the Valladolid Conspiracy.

In 1807 Napoleon's troops entered the peninsula, initially with the excuse of attacking Portugal. However, only a few months later the true intentions of the Frenchman are discovered.

Already in 1808 everything is precipitated. After the mutiny in Aranjuez, King Carlos IV ends up abdicating and yielding his crown to Fernando VII. It is then that Napoleon reunites the Spanish royal family in the town of Bayona and forces the new monarch to leave the throne to José Bonaparte, his brother.

Only a small part of the territory of Spain remains free from French domination, organizing itself into a Boards that declare themselves loyal to Fernando VII. That model would be the one that the first conspirators in the viceroyalty would try to copy.

Context in New Spain

One of the first problems of New Spain at that time was the great existing social inequality. The economic and rights differences between the different sectors were abysmal, the Spanish being the ones who enjoyed the most privileges.

The growing number of Creoles in Mexico was beginning to acquire some power, although they still could not access the most important positions, reserved for peninsulares.

Finally, there was a large indigenous and mestizo population that made up the lowest layers of society.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the political differences between Creoles and Peninsulares had been widening. Little by little the idea of ​​independence or, at least, self-government was emerging.

When the news of what was happening in Spain with the change of king reached Mexico, both sides denied the legitimacy of José Bonaparte. Of course, the Creoles begin to demand their own government, although affirming that it would recognize the authority of Fernando VII.

Context in Valladolid

The city of Valladolid had about 20,000 inhabitants at the time. It was a city with a high economic level thanks to agricultural production. But if it stood out for something, it was because of the educational level of its schools.

It was the Creoles who best took advantage of the possibilities that education offered them, creating various circles of intellectuals who theorized and discussed the situation of the viceroyalty and what their link to Spain should be.

On the other hand, the majority of the population was indigenous or from some of the existing castes in Mexico, unwilling to sympathize with the colonizers.

Causes

- The appointment of José Bonaparte as king, and the consequent delegitimization by society.

- The wide inequality that reigned between the Creoles and the Peninsular, the Spanish being the most privileged by far.

- The existence of a large indigenous and mestizo part of the population that lived in a state of poverty.

- The possibilities that the Creoles had to obtain a quality education, thanks to which they could be adequately trained and discussed their situation in relation to Spain.

The Conspiracy of Valladolid

One of the aforementioned groups was the one that was conspired in September 1809 to achieve a series of political objectives.

The participants in the so-called Conspiracy of Valladolid set the goal of creating a constitutive board, a kind of self-government. In principle, his approach was to swear allegiance to Fernando VII as the legitimate Spanish king, but some opinions were also beginning to appear demanding to go further.

Among the Creoles there was a fear that Spain would end up handing over control of the territory to the French, hence their need to create those self-governing bodies.

According to the conspirators' own words, their intention was "after taking over the situation in 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."

Protagonists

Many important names from the city's political and social scene participated in the conspiracy. Among them we can highlight José María García Obeso, owner of the house where the meetings were held. It is also worth mentioning José Mariano Michelena, lieutenant of the Crown Infantry Regiment and organizer of these meetings.

Apart from them, there were members of the clergy, some low-ranking officials, lawyers, and ordinary people.

The conspirators also wove alliances with the Indians, incorporating the Indian Pedro Rosales into their group. Their large numbers were counted on in case they had to resort to arms, although in principle they wanted the whole process to be peaceful.

In his program, in addition to the aforementioned creation of the Board, was the suppression of the taxes that the indigenous people were obliged to pay. For their part, the creoles would see how the veto they suffered to occupy high positions would disappear if the conspiracy was successful.

Iturbide

Agustín Iturbide, later the first leader of independent Mexico, became involved with the conspirators while residing in Valladolid, although he did not become part of their organization.

Some historians believe that their non-participation was simply due to a lack of communication. Others claim that the group members did not trust him.

Conspiracy failure

Just with just one day left until the conspirators' scheduled rebellion began, a cathedral priest reported the plans to authorities. On December 21, 1809, the entire plot was exposed.

Luckily for the participants, they had time to burn the documents in which they had expressed their intentions. Thus, upon being arrested, they claimed that they only wanted to govern in the name of Fernando VII. Being important members of the city, they were released by the viceroy.

Consequences

Despite the failure, the Conspiracy of Valladolid is considered one of the first steps towards independence. Although those who participated in this conspiracy were not openly pro-independence, their approach and way of carrying it out later served for many other similar attempts.

The closest in time would be the one that started in Querétaro, which led to the Grito de Dolores.

References

1. WikiMexico. Conspiracy of Valladolid, 1809. Retrieved from wikimexico.com

2. Guzmán Pérez, Moisés. The Conspiracy of Valladolid, 1809. Obtained from bicentenario.gob.mx
3. Mexico history. Conspiracy of Valladolid. Obtained from independencedemexico.com.mx
4. Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. Valladolid Conspiracy (1809). Retrieved from encyclopedia.com
5. Wikipedia. José Mariano Michelena. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org
6. Henderson, Timothy J. The Mexican Wars for Independence: A History. Recovered from books.google.es
7. Hamnett, Brian R. Roots of Insurgency: Mexican Regions, 1750-1824. Recovered from books.google.es