THE SOCIAL THOUGHT OF THE INSURGENTS IN NEW SPAIN - HISTORY - 2025

The social thinking of the insurgents in New Spain fueled the rebellious movements during the long crisis of the Spanish Empire between 1810 and 1825. The Creole leaders of New Spain's independence affirmed a new identity for the citizens by calling them “Americans”.

The insurgents who fought against the monarchical government during the years after 1810 tried to unite the Mexicans with a common cause. However, insurgent movements guided by social causes can be traced even back to the days of the Conquest.

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, one of the insurgents of New Spain

According to historical records, one of the first insurgents was Martín Cortés, son of the conqueror Hernán Cortés. This mestizo, born in the territory of New Spain, led a revolt against the Spanish colonial government. The reason for the uprising was the problems of oppression and the exaggerated privileges of the conquerors.

The political and social structure established by the Spanish monarchy became the trigger for the independence movements: peninsulares and criollos occupied the highest positions, and mestizos and indigenous people received low-level work jobs. This social imbalance fed the thinking of the insurgents in New Spain.

characteristics

Although reference is usually made to the social thought of the insurgents in New Spain, not all movements were socially motivated; there was an absence of unification of the objectives pursued.

One group sought to preserve and increase their social, political, and economic privileges in the New World, and another group fought for better economic and social conditions for the people.

However, despite different interests, the majority support for the insurgency came from the poorest and most marginalized.

This group was predominantly made up of indigenous people, who believed that armed struggle would prevent French occupation as had already happened in Spain. They also believed that it was a movement in favor of religion and the Church.

Unification of thought

At first the independence of New Spain was not contemplated; this was raised years after the Grito de Dolores.

On September 5, 1813, José María Morelos y Pavón presented the document Los feelings de la Nación, where he summarized most of the social thinking of the insurgents in New Spain. From that document, the unification of thought that led to the independence of the viceroyalty of La Nueva España was achieved.

Historic context

The French invasion of Spain

New Spain had stood out as the most loyal and stable of all the American colonies in Spain. When the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte seized the Iberian Peninsula, insurgent movements appeared. Then secret meetings began to discuss the future of the colony.

Social inequality

The privileges of the peninsular Spaniards caused annoyance among the rest of the inhabitants. This unequal treatment began to feed among the inhabitants of New Spain the desire for a more just and equitable society.

It is then that the social thinking of the insurgents in New Spain began to take shape.

The ideas of the Enlightenment

From the beginning of the 18th century, new ideas began to circulate in Europe, known as the Enlightenment. This group of ideas were propagated by French thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau.

Some of the approaches were equality before the law, free will and freedom. These ideas had an immediate echo in a strongly unequal New Spain society.

Basis of social thought

French Constitution of 1793

This document is a declaration of principles. It is a text of a political and social nature in which fundamental rights are established both individually and in the sphere of participation in government.

Established individual rights are equality before the law, freedom of expression and thought, and protection against abuses of power. Assistance and education are also defined as social obligations of the State.

Declaration of Independence of the United States

This document was promulgated on July 4, 1776 and establishes two fundamental rights: freedom and equality. Its main premise is that the role of government should be to protect the rights of people; when the government does not comply, the people have the right to change it.

Document

This political document was exposed on September 5, 1813. The set of ideas expressed here was the product of the development of the social thought of the insurgents in New Spain.

At the same time, this work provided the foundation for the war of independence waged by New Spain against the Spanish Crown. The first article declares: "America is free and independent from Spain and from any other nation, government or monarchy, and so it will be proclaimed (…)".

Main exponents of the insurgency in New Spain

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Hidalgo y Costilla is considered the father of the Mexican homeland. He was also the forerunner of insurgent social thought in New Spain.

Of a liberal tendency, he shared the ideas of the enlightened French. His search was for a government with greater participation of the people and to improve the conditions of the poorest.

Jose maria morelos and pavon

Morelos y Pavón shared the thoughts of Miguel Hidalgo and had already outlined the model of society that was needed.

Under his auspices, the Constitution of Apatzingán was promulgated, which, among other things, established that sovereignty resided with the people. Consequently, he could choose his form of government.

Vicente Guerrero

Guerrero succeeded José María Morelos in the leadership of the insurgency after his death. He fought in defense of the social thought of the insurgents in New Spain. After the Independence he became president and decreed the abolition of slavery.

Guadalupe Victoria

He was an insurgent companion of Morelos. Of purely republican ideology, he was the first president of the new Republic of Mexico. During his mandate, he gave amnesty to political prisoners and freedom of the press was respected.

Articles of interest

Social inequality in New Spain.

Criollismo and the Yearning for Autonomy in New Spain.

The indigenous and peasant rebellions during the Viceroyalty.

References

1. New World Encyclopedia. (2014, October 22). Mexican War of Independence. Taken from newworldencyclopedia.org.
2. Serrato Delgado, D. and Quioz Zamora, M. (1997). Mexico history. Mexico: Pearson Education.
3. Morelos, JM (1813). Feelings of the Nation. Taken from bicentenarios.es.
4. Serra Cary, D. (2000, October 12). Mexican War of Independence: Father Miguel Hidalgo's Revolt. Taken from historynet.com.
5. Encyclopædia Britannica. (2018, February 14). Vicente Guerrero. Taken from britannica.com.
6. Jawad, N. (2010). New Enlightenment Ideas. 18th century or "Age of Enlightenment". Taken from historiaciclobasicolacoronilla.webnode.es.
7. Biographies and life. (s / f). Guadalupe Victoria. Taken from biografiasyvidas.com.