MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA: BIOGRAPHY - HISTORY - 2025

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753 - 1811) is known for being one of the initiators of the Mexican War of Independence. This priest and revolutionary was the one who launched the one known as Grito de Dolores, which began several years of conflicts that led to a country independent from the Spanish Crown.

He is described as a cultured man concerned with the problems of the most disadvantaged, such as indigenous workers on the haciendas. Despite calling for armed struggle, he always stood out for his attempts to prevent disproportionate bloody acts against his enemies.

Representation of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

He always tried first to negotiate the surrender of the besieged cities, but on most occasions he had little success in this regard. He participated in the Conspiracy of Querétaro, whose failure was precisely what led him to the call to arms.

He achieved several military victories in the first weeks of the conflict, but he and his men are also blamed for some error in this area. Not being a military man by profession, the bad maneuver carried out when they were about to take Mexico City could cause the defeat of that first independence attempt.

Biography

Early years of Miguel Hidalgo

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla came to the world on May 9, 1753, at the Hacienda de Corralejo, Pénjamo (Guanajuato). His father, a Creole, was the administrator of the hacienda and had a good economic position.

This allowed him to train in one of the best educational centers in Valladolid (Morelia), at that time in the hands of the Jesuits. He completed his studies in Mexico City. He also spoke French and, because of his contact with the indigenous workers on the farm where he grew up, spoke the Nahuatl, Purépecha and Otomí languages.

At age 20 he obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy and Latin, and obtained a chair at San Nicolás. His career in this field was very successful and he ended up being rector of the center.

I work as a priest

In addition to his teaching career, Hidalgo had a strong religious vocation. Thus, in 1778 he became a priest. After a few years, he was assigned to the parish of Dolores, Guanajuato.

In that locality he begins his social work, showing great concern for the conditions of the indigenous people. He became something of a teacher, teaching them how to grow vineyards, the art of beekeeping, and run small businesses on their own.

His first encounters with intellectual circles that began to consider another type of relationship with Spain date from that time. It is in these meetings that the idea of ​​independence begins to germinate.

From Querétaro to the Cry of Dolores

Conspiracy of Querétaro

It was the year 1810 and the Napoleonic conquest of Spain had also affected the Colony, not willing to be under French rule. The previous year had taken place the so-called Conspiracy of Valladolid, which had been dismantled by the Spanish authorities.

In Querétaro the atmosphere was similar to that of Valladolid. The magistrate Miguel Domínguez, along with his wife Josefa Ortiz, had begun to gather supporters to start a revolt of their own. Among those supporters were men like Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama.

Allende is in charge of contacting Hidalgo, whom they consider as someone very valuable to participate in the conspiracy. The priest had very good relationships with several influential figures, both in the political and religious world.

In principle, what the conspiracy intended was the same as the previous one that occurred in Valladolid. They were not talking about independence, but about creating a governing board to run the country on behalf of Fernando VII, the Spanish king deposed by Napoleon. The conspirators set a date to begin their actions: October 2.

Conspiracy failure

The conspirators' plans were soon leaked. The Spanish authorities, led by the new viceroy Francisco Venegas, take action. On September 11 they try to capture the rebels but only manage to apprehend one of them.

It was the corregidor's wife, Doña Josefa, who played a fundamental role in saving other conspirators. Upon learning of the raid, she manages to notify Allende and she runs to warn Hidalgo.

Cry of pain

The failure of the conspiracy causes Hidalgo to resort to more forceful means. So, he decided to call the population to arms on September 16, 1810. The phrase he said the night before to Aldama and Allende makes his position very clear:

«Yes, I have thought it through, and I see that we are lost and that there is no other recourse than to go catch gachupines».

That same night he talks to his parishioners to ask for support. He also frees political prisoners who were prisoners and calls a mass for the next morning.

A good part of the town responded to the call and Hidalgo launched a proclamation that will go down in history as the Grito de Dolores. In this proclamation he calls to take up arms against the authorities of the Colony.

War begins

The first days of the war are very favorable for Hidalgo and his supporters. Together with Aldama, Allende and Abasolo they manage to take Celaya and Salamanca. Shortly after, Hidalgo is named general of the rebels in Acámbaro, and in Atotonilco he chooses the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe as his symbol.

Taking of Guanajuato

On September 28 one of the most important battles of the war takes place. It is the Toma de la Alhóndiga de Granaditas, in Guanajuato. Hidalgo tried to negotiate with the mayor, but he did not agree to his requests and preferred to resist militarily.

The rebels ended up taking the city and all the Spaniards who inhabited it were killed. After this, they launched for Valladolid.

Battle of the Mount of Crosses

Hidalgo's army then headed for Mexico City. Nearby takes place the battle of Monte de las Cruces, where they defeat the Spanish. However, having the capital very close, they decide to withdraw, which could change the fate of the war.

Revolutionary government of Guadalajara

One of the milestones in the life of Miguel Hidalgo and, it can be said, in the history of Mexico, is the creation of a revolutionary government. It was in November 1810, in the city of Guadalajara.

Hidalgo proclaims the independence of the country and elaborates several laws. These include land reform and the abolition of slavery. In addition, it eliminates the taxes that the natives paid to the Spanish and returns the lands that had been usurped.

But on the military side, the royalists began to fight back with great efficiency. The troops commanded by General Calleja inflict a resounding defeat to those of Hidalgo in the battle of Puente Calderón, on January 17, 1811.

In the independence camp the first dissensions begin to appear. In fact, Allende confesses that he had tried to poison Hidalgo. Disbanded by the defeats, Hidalgo is stripped of the status of army chief by his companions.

Betrayal and capture

The revolutionary priest flees to Aguascalientes, trying to reach the border with the United States. His claim was to seek allies to continue the fight, but he and his companions are betrayed by Elizondo.

The army was waiting for them in the Norias de Acatita de Baján on May 21, 1811. They were all arrested and taken before the authorities.

Civil and ecclesiastical judgment

Due to his status as a member of the Church, Miguel Hidalgo had to face two different judicial procedures: the military and the ecclesiastical.

The second of these, carried out by the court of the Holy Inquisition, removed him from his position as a priest, a necessary condition for him to be executed.

The military trial, held in Chihuahua, sentenced him to death on July 3, 1811. His words about the reasons for the rebellion were that as a citizen he had to defend his homeland.

Death

On July 30, 1811, Miguel Hidalgo was executed at dawn. He requested that his eyes not be blindfolded and that he not be shot in the back as they did with traitors.

A soldier cut off his head to earn 20 pesos as a reward and, together with Allende and Aldama's, it was exhibited in Alhóndiga de las Granaditas. The three heads remained hanging in full view for 10 years as a warning to those who thought to rise up against Spain.

After independence, his body was exhumed and his head recovered. He was buried with all honors in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico.

References

1. The poor of the earth. Biography of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Obtained from lospobresdelatierra.org
2. Unknown Mexico. Miguel Hidalgo, the "Father of the country". Obtained from mexicodesconocido.com.mx
3. Mexico 2010. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Obtained from bicentenario.gob.mx
4. Biography. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Retrieved from biography.com
5. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Retrieved from britannica.com
6. Minster, Christopher. Biography of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Retrieved from thoughtco.com

7. Herz, May. Don Miguel Hidalgo: Father of Our Independence. Obtained from inside-mexico.com
8. Library of Congress. Cry of Dolores. Retrieved from loc.gov