Describe Population of Mexico in 1808

• Richest Spanish colony
• Population:
  • Majority = Castas & Indians (5 million)
  • Creoles = 1 million
  • Minority = Peninsulars (only a few thousand, all conservative officials & merchants)
• All three groups distrust the other two

*Creoles resent control of the colony by Peninsulars, whom they call "gachupines"* (unlike Brazil/Portugal: all respect)

Describe political atmosphere in Mexico in 1808

1. Viceroy?
2. What happens in Europe that affects Mexico?
3. Irony?

1. Viceroy was a liberal (alied with Creoles), opposed by Peninsulars

2. Napoleon occupied Spain/imprisioned king in 1808. Conservative Peninsulars of Mexico City took advantage of chaos, kicked out liberal viceroy; reinstated conservative rule in name of king

3. Irony = one of the first American colonies to gain independence is one of the most conservative ones

Who was Miguel Hidalgo?

• Rural priest from Mexico
• Creole intellectual; speaks Indian languages
• Son of a hacienda manager
• Belonged to a circle of creole radicals
• Forced from teaching job; Inquisition investigated
• Banished to job as parish priest in the Indian village of Dolores

Where is Dolores located?

Describe the town

What year was the "Cry of Dolores"?

Dolores is located in the province of Guanajuato, close to Mexico City.

Rapid economic development in 18th century brought both wealth and poverty to Dolores. The population was a mix of both Indians and Creoles.

The "Cry of Dolores" was in 1810

Why was Dolores a likely place for a Mexican nationalist revolution to begin?

Someone fill this out!

Card #5

• Memories of their ancestors (land lost to the Spanish conquistadors).
• Defending their religion (Virgin of Guadalupe)
• Difference between Creole and Peninsular

Describe the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Juan Diego was walking to Mexico City & saw a vision on a hill of a young girl surrounded by light that he recognized as the Virgin Mary. The Lady asked in Nahuatl for a church to be built. The Lady gave roses to Juan in his cloak; when he opened the cloak the image of the Virin appeared in the cloth.