MANUEL MIER Y TERÁN: BIOGRAPHY - HISTORY - 2025

Manuel Mier y Terán (1789 - 1832) was a Mexican military and politician who played a very active role during the country's struggle for independence that took place at the beginning of the 19th century. In the first moments of the war he participated in the military campaigns commanded first by Miguel Hidalgo, and later by José María Morelos.

Once the Independence of Mexico was achieved, he held various political positions, the first during the Empire proclaimed by Agustín de Iturbide, when he was a deputy. He also became Minister of War after the fall of Iturbide and headed the so-called Limits Commission, in charge of defining the border between Mexico and the United States.

He played a prominent role in the defense of independence when Spain tried to regain the sovereignty of the country, defeating the invaders in one of the most important battles. Mier y Terán was about to become president of Mexico, but the uprising of General Santa Anna in favor of Vicente Guerrero prevented it.

In 1832, the military man took his life using his own sword in the same house where Agustín de Iturbide spent his last night before being shot.

Early years

Manuel Mier y Terán was born on February 18, 1789 in Mexico City. Mier y Terán was trained at the Mining College of the capital, graduating in 1811. Within what he learned in those early years, he is considered an expert in the fields of engineering and mathematics.

Changes in Mexico

Mexico was so far under the Spanish colonial mandate; a year later this situation begins to change. First by the Napoleonic invasion of Spain, which makes the inhabitants of the viceroyalty claim self-government, although at first swearing allegiance to the deposed Spanish king. Then, looking directly for independence.

Mier y Terán, like many other young people of the time, is interested in those liberation movements, in which men like Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos stand out.

It was his knowledge of ballistics and explosives composition that made him such a valuable addition to the insurgent cause.

War of independence

Mier y Terán's first contact with the war occurred when he joined Miguel Hidalgo in 1810. After the failure of the Querétaro Conspiracy, Hidalgo had launched the Grito de Dolores, calling to arms to achieve his own government.

Later, in 1812, he joined the campaigns led by José María Morelos, who for several years put the Spanish forces in check and proclaimed independence.

By 1814 Mier y Terán had already risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He had started out as just an ammunition manager, but his great talent led him to rise very quickly.

That same year he participated in the taking of Puebla and later took part in the defense of the city of Oaxaca against the siege to which the royalists submitted it. Although they lost the town, the rebels managed to escape after a brilliant maneuver that earned them the rank of colonel.

Temporary withdrawal

However, problems on his side were beginning to appear. There was a confrontation between the Congress of Chilpancingo, created by the insurgents as a governing body and which had declared independence, and a sector that tried to overthrow it.

Mier was placed among the latter. In fact, he tried to be appointed military chief but did not get enough support. From then until 1817 he continued to participate in the different military campaigns that were carried out against the Spanish.

Some defeats -especially that of Tehuacán- and the internal problems among the independentistas, caused him to put down his arms and accept the pardon.

Plan of Iguala and Empire

The years of war end with the victory of the rebels. With the Plan of Iguala, Mexico obtained its independence in 1821 and Mier y Terán decided to return to public life.

Agustín de Iturbide had declared himself Emperor of Mexico and decides to send him to Chiapas as a military commander. There he achieves the complete annexation of the region and when he returns to the capital he is appointed deputy for that state.

The fall of Iturbide does not affect his political career, since President Guadalupe Victoria counts on him to occupy important positions: Minister of War and commissioner to reinforce the defenses in case the dreaded Spanish invasion becomes a reality. His differences with Victoria caused him to resign in December 1824.

Limits Commission

Despite these differences, in the following years he continued to hold various positions. One of the most important was to head the so-called Limits Commission. This was organized almost like it was a scientific expedition and its objective was to investigate the border between Mexico and the United States.

Attempted Spanish reconquest

On his return from the expedition, he saw fears that Spain will try to regain its former colony come true. In 1829 the Spanish tried to invade the country and Mier had to return to military life.

Despite the fact that Santa Anna took all the credit for rejecting the Spanish attempt, most historians point out that it was Mier y Terán who played a decisive role. His victory over the troops of Isidro Barradas was essential to avoid the invasion.

Political disappointment and death

Frustrated candidacy

The name of Mier y Terán sounded very strong to occupy the presidency of the country in 1830. Everyone was betting on him and agreed that his election would be a simple procedure. However, before being able to become effective Santa Anna rebelled.

The triumph of this uprising put Vicente Guerrero in office and was a great disappointment for Mier.

Death

This blow suffered was joined by the defeat in 1832 in the attempt to conquer Tampico. It seems that these events were the ones that led to the drastic decision he made shortly after that same year.

During a visit to Padilla, he asked to be explained the last moments that Iturbide had spent there. It was the place where the deposed emperor had been locked up, where he had been shot and where his grave was.

Mier y Terán returned to the cemetery the next day, July 3. The chronicles relate that he was dressed in a uniform. The soldier supported his sword on some surface and, throwing himself on it, committed suicide.

References

1. González Lezama, Raúl. Independence / Manuel de Mier y Terán: The intermittence of his «eternal rest». Obtained from bicentenario.gob.mx
2. Wikimexico. Mier y Terán, Manuel (1789-1832). Retrieved from wikimexico.com
3. Biographies and Lives. Manuel de Mier y Terán. Obtained from biografiasyvidas.com
4. McKeehan, Wallace L. Manuel de Mier y Terán 1789-1832. Retrieved from sonsofdewittcolony.org
5. Swett Henson, Margaret. Mier and Teran, Manuel de. Retrieved from tshaonline.org
6. The biography. Biography of Manuel de Mier y Terán (1789-1832), Retrieved from thebiography.us
7. Morton, Ohland. Life of General Don Manuel de Mier y Teran: As It Affected Texas-Mexican Relations. Recovered from jstor.org