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{{Short description|Mexican Catholic priest (1753–1811)}}
{{Short description|Mexican Catholic preacher(1753–1811)}}
{{Redirect|Miguel Hidalgo|the borough bbc of Mexico City|Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City}}
{{Redirect|Miguel Hidalgo|the borough of Mexico City|Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City}}
{{family name hatnote|Hidalgo y Costilla|Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor|lang=Spanish}}
{{Family name hatnote|Hidalgo y Costilla|Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Don (honorific)|Don]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Don (honorific)|Don]]
| image = Generalísimo Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.png
| image = Generalísimo Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.png
| caption = Posthumous portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811), by Joaquín Ramírez, 1865<ref>{{cite web|website=Mediateca INAH|title=Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|url=https://mediateca.inah.gob.mx/repositorio/islandora/object/pintura%3A4293|access-date=30 March 2023|language=es}}</ref>
| caption = Posthumous portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811), by Joaquín Ramírez, 1865<ref>{{cite web|website=Mediateca INAH|title=Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|url=https://mediateca.inah.gob.mx/repositorio/islandora/object/pintura%3A4293|access-date=30 March 2023|language=es|archive-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331003037/https://mediateca.inah.gob.mx/repositorio/islandora/object/pintura:4293|url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1753|5|8|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1753|5|8|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1811|7|30|1753|5|8|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1811|7|30|1753|5|8|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Pénjamo]], [[Nueva Galicia]], {{awrap|Viceroyalty of New Spain}}<ref name="Vázquez">{{cite book|last=Vázquez Gómez|first=Juana|year=1997|title=Dictionary of Mexican Rulers, 1325–1997|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.|location=Westport, Connecticut|isbn=978-0-313-30049-3}}</ref><ref name="sanmiguelguide1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/miguel-hidalgo.htm|title=I Parte: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Pénjamo]], [[Nueva Galicia]], {{awrap|Viceroyalty of New Spain}}<ref name="Vázquez">{{cite book|last=Vázquez Gómez|first=Juana|year=1997|title=Dictionary of Mexican Rulers, 1325–1997|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.|location=Westport, Connecticut|isbn=978-0-313-30049-3}}</ref><ref name="sanmiguelguide1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/miguel-hidalgo.htm|title=I Parte: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-date=4 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104143628/http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/miguel-hidalgo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
| death_place = [[Chihuahua (city)|Chihuahua]], [[Nueva Vizcaya, New Spain|Nueva Vizcaya]], {{awrap|Viceroyalty of New Spain}}
| death_place = [[Chihuahua (city)|Chihuahua]], [[Nueva Vizcaya, New Spain|Nueva Vizcaya]], {{awrap|Viceroyalty of New Spain}}
{{Infobox person | child = yes | death_cause= [[Execution by firing squad]]}}
{{Infobox person | child = yes | death_cause= [[Execution by firing squad]]}}
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| branch = [[Mexican Army#Independence|Mexican Insurgency]]
| branch = [[Mexican Army#Independence|Mexican Insurgency]]
| serviceyears = 1810–1811
| serviceyears = 1810–1811
| commands = Generalissimo
| rank = Generalissimo
| battles = [[Mexican War of Independence]]
| battles = [[Mexican War of Independence]]
| signature = Firma de Miguel Hidalgo.svg
| signature = Firma de Miguel Hidalgo.svg
}}
}}


[[Don (honorific)|Don]] '''Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mandarte y Villaseñor'''<ref name="vela">{{cite web|url=http://vela.sep.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=309:miguel-hidalgo&catid=84:enciclovela&Itemid=80|title=Videoteca Educativa de las Américas|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722225444/http://vela.sep.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=309:miguel-hidalgo&catid=84:enciclovela&Itemid=80|archive-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> (8 May 1753&nbsp;– 30 July 1811), more commonly known as '''Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla''' or '''Miguel Hidalgo''' ({{IPA-es|miˈɣel iˈðalɣo}}), was a [[Catholic priest]], leader of the [[Mexican War of Independence]] and recognized as the [[Father of the Nation]].
[[Don (honorific)|Don]] '''Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mandarte y Villaseñor'''<ref name="vela">{{cite web|url=http://vela.sep.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=309:miguel-hidalgo&catid=84:enciclovela&Itemid=80|title=Videoteca Educativa de las Américas|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722225444/http://vela.sep.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=309:miguel-hidalgo&catid=84:enciclovela&Itemid=80|archive-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> (8 May 1753&nbsp;– 30 July 1811), commonly known as '''Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla''' or '''Miguel Hidalgo''' ({{IPA|es|miˈɣel iˈðalɣo}}), was a [[Catholic priest]], leader of the [[Mexican War of Independence]] and recognized as the [[Father of the Nation]].


A professor at the [[Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo|Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo]] in [[Morelia|Valladolid]], Hidalgo was influenced by [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] ideas, which contributed to his ouster in 1792. He served in a church in [[Colima]] and then in [[Dolores Hidalgo|Dolores]]. After his arrival, he was shocked by the rich soil he had found. He tried to help the poor by showing them how to grow olives and grapes, but in [[New Spain]] (modern Mexico) growing these crops was discouraged or prohibited by colonial authorities to prevent competition with imports from Spain.<ref>''Mexico: From Independence to Revolution, 1810–1910'', edited by W. Dirk Raat, p. 21 {{ISBN?}}</ref> On 16 September 1810 he gave the [[Cry of Dolores]], a speech calling upon the people to protect the interest of their King [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]], held captive during the [[Peninsular War]], by revolting against the European-born Spaniards who had overthrown the Spanish Viceroy [[José de Iturrigaray]].<ref>{{cite journal | title = Mother of Death, Mother of Rebirth: The Mexican Virgin of Guadalupe | author = Harrington, Patricia | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Religion | volume = 56 | issue = 1 | date =Spring 1988 | pages = 25–50 | publisher = Oxford University Press | doi = 10.1093/jaarel/LVI.1.25 | jstor = 1464830 | quote = Many interpreters of the Lady of Guadalupe have pointed to the importance of the image as a symbol of revolution, most clearly expressed in the legendary story of Miguel Hidalgo rallying the masses for revolt against Spain with the cry of Dolores: "Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe and death to the gachupines!"}}</ref>
A professor at the [[Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo|Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo]] in [[Morelia|Valladolid]], Hidalgo was influenced by [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] ideas, which contributed to his ouster in 1792. He served in a church in [[Colima]] and then in [[Dolores Hidalgo|Dolores]]. After his arrival, he was shocked by the rich soil he had found. He tried to help the poor by showing them how to grow olives and grapes, but in [[New Spain]] (modern Mexico) growing these crops was discouraged or prohibited by colonial authorities to prevent competition with imports from Spain.<ref>''Mexico: From Independence to Revolution, 1810–1910'', edited by W. Dirk Raat, p. 21 {{ISBN?}}</ref> On 16 September 1810 he gave the [[Cry of Dolores]], a speech calling upon the people to protect the interest of their King [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]], held captive during the [[Peninsular War]], by revolting against the European-born Spaniards who had overthrown the Spanish Viceroy [[José de Iturrigaray]].<ref>{{cite journal | title = Mother of Death, Mother of Rebirth: The Mexican Virgin of Guadalupe | author = Harrington, Patricia | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Religion | volume = 56 | issue = 1 | date =Spring 1988 | pages = 25–50 | publisher = Oxford University Press | doi = 10.1093/jaarel/LVI.1.25 | jstor = 1464830 | quote = Many interpreters of the Lady of Guadalupe have pointed to the importance of the image as a symbol of revolution, most clearly expressed in the legendary story of Miguel Hidalgo rallying the masses for revolt against Spain with the cry of Dolores: "Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe and death to the gachupines!"}}</ref>


He marched across Mexico and gathered an army of nearly 90,000 poor farmers and Mexican civilians who attacked Spanish [[Peninsulares|Peninsular]] and [[Criollo people|Criollo]] elites. Hidalgo's insurgent army accumulated initial victories in its way to Mexico City, but his troops ultimately lacked training and were poorly armed. These troops ran into an army of well-trained and armed Spanish troops in the [[Battle of Calderón Bridge]] and were defeated.<ref>Minster, Christopher. ''Mexican War of Independence: The Battle of Calderon Bridge'' [http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/mexicoindependence/p/09calderonbridge.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907143654/http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/mexicoindependence/p/09calderonbridge.htm|date=7 September 2015}}</ref> After the battle, Hidalgo and his remaining troops fled north, but Hidalgo was betrayed, captured and executed.
Hidalgo marched across Mexico and gathered an army of nearly 90,000 poor farmers and Mexican civilians who attacked Spanish [[Peninsulares|Peninsular]] and [[Criollo people|Criollo]] elites. Hidalgo's insurgent army accumulated initial victories on its way to Mexico City, but his troops ultimately lacked training and were poorly armed. These troops ran into an army of well-trained and armed Spanish troops in the [[Battle of Calderón Bridge]] and were defeated.<ref>Minster, Christopher. ''Mexican War of Independence: The Battle of Calderon Bridge'' [http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/mexicoindependence/p/09calderonbridge.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907143654/http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/mexicoindependence/p/09calderonbridge.htm|date=7 September 2015}}</ref> After the battle, Hidalgo and his remaining troops fled north, but Hidalgo was betrayed, captured and executed.


== Early years ==
== Early years ==
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Hidalgo was the second-born child of Cristóbal Hidalgo y Costilla Espinoza de los Monteros and Ana María Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor, both [[Criollo people|criollos]].<ref name="Noll p. 5">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/lifeandtimesmig00nollgoog|title=The life and times of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|last1=Noll |first1=Arthur Howard |last2=McMahon|first2=Amos Philip |publisher=A.C. McClurg & Co|location=Chicago, IL|date=1910|page=[https://archive.org/details/lifeandtimesmig00nollgoog/page/n22 5] }}</ref> On his maternal side, he was of [[Basques|Basque]] ancestry. His most recent identifiable Spanish ancestor was his maternal great-grandfather, who was from [[Durango, Biscay]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=de la Fuente |first1=José María |title=Arbol genealógico de la familia Hidalgo y Costilla: biografía y genealogía del benemérito cura de Dolores D. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla |date=1910 |publisher=E. Rivera |location=Dolores Hidalgo (Guanajuato, Mexico)}}</ref> On his paternal side, he descended from criollo families native to [[Tejupilco Municipality|Tejupilco]], which were well-respected within the criollo community.{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=3|ps=. "In Spanish-American history, the term [ ''[[Criollo people|criollo]]'' ] signifies one of pure Spanish blood, born, not in Spain, but in one of the Spanish colonial possessions."}} Hidalgo's father was an [[hacienda]] manager in [[Morelia|Valladolid]], [[Michoacán]], where Hidalgo spent the majority of his life.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBqDBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA168|title=Mexico at War: From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars: From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars|last=Marley|first=David F.|year= 2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-61069-428-5|location=Santa Barbara, California|page=168|language=en|chapter=Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga or also well know Molly Schulte, Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio (1753–1811)}}</ref>{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=12}} Eight days after his birth, Hidalgo was baptized into the Catholic faith in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos.{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=1}} Hidalgo's parents had three other sons; José Joaquín, Manuel Mariano, and José María,<ref name="Noll p. 5" /> before their mother died when Hildalgo was nine years old.{{Sfn|Marley|2014|p=168}} A step brother named Mariano was born later.{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=11}}
Hidalgo was the second-born child of Cristóbal Hidalgo y Costilla Espinoza de los Monteros and Ana María Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor, both [[Criollo people|criollos]].<ref name="Noll p. 5">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/lifeandtimesmig00nollgoog|title=The life and times of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|last1=Noll |first1=Arthur Howard |last2=McMahon|first2=Amos Philip |publisher=A.C. McClurg & Co|location=Chicago, IL|date=1910|page=[https://archive.org/details/lifeandtimesmig00nollgoog/page/n22 5] }}</ref> On his maternal side, he was of [[Basques|Basque]] ancestry. His most recent identifiable Spanish ancestor was his maternal great-grandfather, who was from [[Durango, Biscay]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=de la Fuente |first1=José María |title=Arbol genealógico de la familia Hidalgo y Costilla: biografía y genealogía del benemérito cura de Dolores D. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla |date=1910 |publisher=E. Rivera |location=Dolores Hidalgo (Guanajuato, Mexico)}}</ref> On his paternal side, he descended from criollo families native to [[Tejupilco Municipality|Tejupilco]], which were well-respected within the criollo community.{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=3|ps=. "In Spanish-American history, the term [ ''[[Criollo people|criollo]]'' ] signifies one of pure Spanish blood, born, not in Spain, but in one of the Spanish colonial possessions."}} Hidalgo's father was an [[hacienda]] manager in [[Morelia|Valladolid]], [[Michoacán]], where Hidalgo spent the majority of his life.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LBqDBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA168|title=Mexico at War: From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars: From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars|last=Marley|first=David F.|year= 2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-61069-428-5|location=Santa Barbara, California|page=168|language=en|chapter=Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga or also well know Molly Schulte, Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio (1753–1811)}}</ref>{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=12}} Eight days after his birth, Hidalgo was baptized into the Catholic faith in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos.{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=1}} Hidalgo's parents had three other sons; José Joaquín, Manuel Mariano, and José María,<ref name="Noll p. 5" /> before their mother died when Hildalgo was nine years old.{{Sfn|Marley|2014|p=168}} A step brother named Mariano was born later.{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=11}}


In 1759, [[Charles III of Spain]] ascended to the throne of Spain; he soon sent out a visitor-general with the power to investigate and reform all parts of colonial government. During this period, Cristóbal was determined that Miguel and his younger brother Joaquín should both enter the priesthood and hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Being of significant means he paid for all of his sons to receive the best education the region had to offer. After receiving private instruction, likely from the priest of the neighboring parish, Hidalgo was ready for further education.<ref name="Noll p. 5" />
In 1759, [[Charles III of Spain|Charles III]] ascended the Spanish throne; he soon sent out a visitor-general with the power to investigate and reform all parts of colonial government. During this period, Cristóbal was determined that Miguel and his younger brother Joaquín should both enter the priesthood and hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Being of significant means he paid for all of his sons to receive the best education the region had to offer. After receiving private instruction, likely from the priest of the neighboring parish, Hidalgo was ready for further education.<ref name="Noll p. 5" />


== Education, ordination, and early career ==
== Education, ordination, and early career ==
At the age of fifteen Hidalgo was sent to Valladolid (now [[Morelia]]), [[Michoacán]], to study at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier with the [[Jesuits]], along with his brothers.<ref name="fuego">{{cite web|url=http://www.vidasdefuego.com/biografia-miguel-hidalgo-y-costilla.htm|title=Biografía de Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020001914/http://www.vidasdefuego.com/biografia-miguel-hidalgo-y-costilla.htm|archive-date=20 October 2008}}</ref> When the Jesuits [[Suppression of the Society of Jesus|were expelled]] from Mexico in 1767, he entered the [[Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo|Colegio de San Nicolás]],<ref name="sanmiguelguide1"/><ref name="mexdes">{{cite journal|title=Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|journal=Mexico Desconocido|publisher=Grupo Editorial Impresiones Aéreas|location=Mexico City|url=http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/notas/4182-Miguel-Hidalgo-y-Costilla|language=es|access-date=27 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121205850/http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/notas/4182-Miguel-Hidalgo-y-Costilla|archive-date=21 November 2008}}</ref><ref name="Kirkwood">{{cite book|last=Kirkwood|first=Burton|title=History of Mexico|year=2000|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated|location=Westport, Connecticut|isbn=978-0-313-30351-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofmexico00burt}}</ref> where he studied for the priesthood.<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" />
At the age of fifteen Hidalgo was sent to Valladolid (now [[Morelia]]), [[Michoacán]], to study at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier with the [[Jesuits]], along with his brothers.<ref name="fuego">{{cite web|url=http://www.vidasdefuego.com/biografia-miguel-hidalgo-y-costilla.htm|title=Biografía de Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020001914/http://www.vidasdefuego.com/biografia-miguel-hidalgo-y-costilla.htm|archive-date=20 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lea |first=Henry Charles |date=1899 |title=Hidalgo and Morelos |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1833781 |journal=The American Historical Review |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=636–651 |doi=10.2307/1833781 |jstor=1833781 |issn=0002-8762|url-access=subscription }}</ref> When the Jesuits [[Suppression of the Society of Jesus|were expelled]] from Mexico in 1767, he entered the [[Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo|Colegio de San Nicolás]],<ref name="sanmiguelguide1"/><ref name="mexdes">{{cite journal|title=Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla|journal=Mexico Desconocido|publisher=Grupo Editorial Impresiones Aéreas|location=Mexico City|url=http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/notas/4182-Miguel-Hidalgo-y-Costilla|language=es|access-date=27 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121205850/http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/notas/4182-Miguel-Hidalgo-y-Costilla|archive-date=21 November 2008}}</ref><ref name="Kirkwood">{{cite book|last=Kirkwood|first=Burton|title=History of Mexico|year=2000|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated|location=Westport, Connecticut|isbn=978-0-313-30351-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofmexico00burt}}</ref> where he studied for the priesthood.<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" />


He completed his preparatory education in 1770. After this, he went to the [[Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico]] in Mexico City for further study, earning his degree in philosophy and theology in 1773.<ref name="fuego" /> His education for the priesthood was traditional, with subjects in [[Latin]], [[rhetoric]] and [[logic]]. Like many priests in Mexico, he studied indigenous languages,<ref name="Kirkwood" /> such as [[Nahuatl]], [[Otomi language|Otomi]], and [[Purépecha language|Purépecha]]. He also studied Italian and French, which were not commonly studied in Mexico at this time.<ref name="mexdes" /> He earned the nickname "''El Zorro''" ("The Fox") for his reputation for cleverness at school.<ref name="Vázquez"/><ref name="Tuck">{{cite web|url=http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/jtuck/jthidalgo.html|title=Miguel Hidalgo: The Father Who Fathered a Country (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|last=Tuck|first=Jim}}</ref> Hidalgo's study of French allowed him to read and study works of [[the Enlightenment]] current in Europe<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" /> but, at the same time, forbidden by the Catholic church in Mexico.<ref name="Vázquez" />
He completed his preparatory education in 1770. After this, he went to the [[Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico]] in Mexico City for further study, earning his degree in philosophy and theology in 1773.<ref name="fuego" /> His education for the priesthood was traditional, with subjects in [[Latin]], [[rhetoric]] and [[logic]]. Like many priests in Mexico, he studied indigenous languages,<ref name="Kirkwood" /> such as [[Nahuatl]], [[Otomi language|Otomi]], and [[Purépecha language|Purépecha]]. He also studied Italian and French, which were not commonly studied in Mexico at this time.<ref name="mexdes" /> He earned the nickname "''El Zorro''" ("The Fox") for his reputation for cleverness at school.<ref name="Vázquez"/><ref name="Tuck">{{cite web|url=http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/jtuck/jthidalgo.html|title=Miguel Hidalgo: The Father Who Fathered a Country (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|last=Tuck|first=Jim|archive-date=18 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218165719/http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/jtuck/jthidalgo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Hidalgo's study of French allowed him to read and study works of [[the Enlightenment]] current in Europe<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" /> but, at the same time, forbidden by the Catholic church in Mexico.<ref name="Vázquez" />


[[File:Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.jpg|thumb|upright|Etching depicting Hidalgo's portrait, on a pamphlet celebrating Mexican independence]]
[[File:Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.jpg|thumb|upright|Etching depicting Hidalgo's portrait, on a pamphlet celebrating Mexican independence]]
Hidalgo was ordained as a priest in 1778 when he was 25 years old.<ref name="mexdes" /><ref name="Tuck" /> From 1779 to 1792, he dedicated himself to teaching at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid (now [[Morelia]]); it was "one of the most important educational centers of the viceroyalty."<ref>Virginia Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla" in ''Encyclopedia of Mexico'', Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn 1997, p. 640</ref> He was a professor of Latin grammar and arts, as well as a theology professor. Beginning in 1787, he was named treasurer, vice-rector and secretary,<ref name="fuego" /> becoming dean of the school in 1790 when he was 39.<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" /><ref name="biografiasyvidas">{{cite web|url=http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/h/hidalgo.htm|title=Hidalgo y Costilla profile|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es}}</ref> As [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|rector]], Hidalgo continued studying the [[Liberalism|liberal]] ideas that were coming from France and other parts of Europe. Authorities ousted him in 1792 for revising traditional teaching methods there, but also for "irregular handling of some funds."<ref name="Guedea p. 641">Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 641.</ref> The Church sent him to work at the parishes of [[Colima, Colima|Colima]] and [[San Felipe, Guanajuato|San Felipe Torres Mochas]] until he became the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato,<ref name="mexdes" /> succeeding his brother José Joaquín a few weeks after his death on 19 September 1802.{{Sfn|Marley|2014|p=168}}
Hidalgo was ordained as a priest in 1778 when he was 25 years old.<ref name="mexdes" /><ref name="Tuck" /> From 1779 to 1792, he dedicated himself to teaching at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid (now [[Morelia]]); it was "one of the most important educational centers of the viceroyalty."<ref>Virginia Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla" in ''Encyclopedia of Mexico'', Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn 1997, p. 640</ref> He was a professor of Latin grammar and arts, as well as a theology professor. Beginning in 1787, he was named treasurer, vice-rector and secretary,<ref name="fuego" /> becoming dean of the school in 1790 when he was 39.<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" /><ref name="biografiasyvidas">{{cite web|url=http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/h/hidalgo.htm|title=Hidalgo y Costilla profile|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-date=8 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208123055/http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/h/hidalgo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> As [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|rector]], Hidalgo continued studying the [[Liberalism|liberal]] ideas that were coming from France and other parts of Europe. Authorities ousted him in 1792 for revising traditional teaching methods there, but also for "irregular handling of some funds."<ref name="Guedea p. 641">Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 641.</ref> The Church sent him to work at the parishes of [[Colima, Colima|Colima]] and [[San Felipe, Guanajuato|San Felipe Torres Mochas]] until he became the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato,<ref name="mexdes" /> succeeding his brother José Joaquín a few weeks after his death on 19 September 1802.{{Sfn|Marley|2014|p=168}}


Although Hidalgo had a traditional education for the priesthood, as an educator at the Colegio de San Nicolás he had innovated in teaching methods and curriculum. In his personal life, he did not advocate or live the way expected of 18th-century Mexican priests. Instead, his studies of Enlightenment-era ideas caused him to challenge traditional political and religious views. He questioned the absolute authority of the Spanish king and challenged numerous ideas presented by the Church, including the power of the popes, [[Virgin birth of Jesus|the virgin birth]], and clerical [[celibacy]]. As a secular cleric, he was not bound by a vow of poverty, so he, like many other secular priests, pursued business activities, including owning three haciendas;<ref>Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 640.</ref> but contrary to his vow of chastity, he formed liaisons with women. One was with Manuela Ramos Pichardo, with whom he had two children, as well as a child with Bibiana Lucero.<ref name="Guedea p. 641" /> He later lived with a woman named María Manuela Herrera,<ref name="Kirkwood" /> fathering two daughters out of wedlock with her, and later fathered three other children with a woman named Josefa Quintana.<ref name="inah">{{cite web|url=http://www.inah.gob.mx/Ninos/miguelhidalgo/index.html |title=¿Quien fue Hidalgo? |access-date=27 November 2009 |publisher=INAH |location=Mexico |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921041309/http://www.inah.gob.mx/Ninos/miguelhidalgo/index.html |archive-date=21 September 2008 }}</ref>
Although Hidalgo had a traditional education for the priesthood, as an educator at the Colegio de San Nicolás he had innovated in teaching methods and curriculum. In his personal life, he did not advocate or live the way expected of 18th-century Mexican priests. Instead, his studies of Enlightenment-era ideas caused him to challenge traditional political and religious views. He questioned the absolute authority of the Spanish king and challenged numerous ideas presented by the Church, including the power of the popes, [[Virgin birth of Jesus|the virgin birth]], and clerical [[celibacy]]. As a secular cleric, he was not bound by a vow of poverty, so he, like many other secular priests, pursued business activities, including owning three haciendas;<ref>Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 640.</ref> but contrary to his vow of chastity, he formed liaisons with women. One was with Manuela Ramos Pichardo, with whom he had two children, as well as a child with Bibiana Lucero.<ref name="Guedea p. 641" /> He later lived with a woman named María Manuela Herrera,<ref name="Kirkwood" /> fathering two daughters out of wedlock with her, and later fathered three other children with a woman named Josefa Quintana.<ref name="inah">{{cite web|url=http://www.inah.gob.mx/Ninos/miguelhidalgo/index.html |title=¿Quien fue Hidalgo? |access-date=27 November 2009 |publisher=INAH |location=Mexico |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921041309/http://www.inah.gob.mx/Ninos/miguelhidalgo/index.html |archive-date=21 September 2008 }}</ref>


These actions resulted in his appearance before the Court of the [[Mexican Inquisition|Inquisition]], although the court did not find him guilty.<ref name="Kirkwood" /> Hidalgo was egalitarian. As parish priest in both San Felipe and Dolores, he opened his house to natives and [[mestizo]]s as well as criollos.<ref name="Tuck" />
These actions resulted in his appearance before the Court of the [[Mexican Inquisition|Inquisition]], although the court did not find him guilty.<ref name="Kirkwood" /> Hidalgo was an egalitarian. As parish priest in both San Felipe and Dolores, he opened his house to natives and [[mestizo]]s as well as criollos.<ref name="Tuck" />


== Background to the War of Independence ==
== Background to the War of Independence ==
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{{Main|Peninsular War}}
{{Main|Peninsular War}}


In 1807, France and Spain signed the [[Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807)]] to invade [[Invasion of Portugal (1807)|Portugal]], an ally of the [[United Kingdom]]. The French troops that were supposed to go through Spain to Portugal remained in Spain and the Spanish people were upset by the presence of the French troops as a result of the numerous excesses that the French committed against the Spanish people, such as occupation of the territory, numerous looting, pillaging, murder of civilians, and the kidnappings of [[Charles IV of Spain|King Charles IV]] and [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Prince Ferdinan VII]]. Also, [[Napoleon]] forced [[Abdications of Bayonne|both to abdicate]] and installed his brother, [[Joseph Bonaparte]], as King of Spain. This triggered a [[Tumult of Aranjuez|revolt by Spanish troops]] first and, subsequently, [[Dos de Mayo Uprising|an uprising in Madrid]], This was followed by further revolts across Spain. In August 1808, a British army landed in Portugal. Britain and France then went to war against each other in Portugal and Spain. The war and instability in Spain affected Mexico and other parts of [[New Spain]].
In 1807, France and Spain signed the [[Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807)|Treaty of Fontainebleau]] to invade [[Invasion of Portugal (1807)|Portugal]], an ally of the [[United Kingdom]]. The French troops that were supposed to go through Spain to Portugal remained in Spain and the Spanish people were upset by the presence of the French troops as a result of the numerous excesses that the French committed against the Spanish people, such as occupation of the territory, numerous looting, pillaging, murder of civilians, and the kidnappings of [[Charles IV of Spain|King Charles IV]] and [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Prince Ferdinand VII]]. Also, [[Napoleon]] forced [[Abdications of Bayonne|both to abdicate]] and installed his brother, [[Joseph Bonaparte]], as King of Spain. This triggered a [[Tumult of Aranjuez|revolt by Spanish troops]] first and, subsequently, [[Dos de Mayo Uprising|an uprising in Madrid]], This was followed by further revolts across Spain. In August 1808, a British army landed in Portugal. Britain and France then went to war against each other in Portugal and Spain. The war and instability in Spain affected Mexico and other parts of [[New Spain]].


== Parish priest in Dolores ==
== Parish priest in Dolores ==
[[File:Dolores hidalgo.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Hidalgo in front of his church at [[Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato]]]]
[[File:Dolores hidalgo.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Hidalgo in front of his church at [[Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato]]]]
In 1803, aged 50, he arrived in Dolores accompanied by his family that included a younger brother, a cousin, two half sisters, as well as María and their two children.<ref name="Tuck"/> He obtained this parish in spite of his hearing before the Inquisition, which did not stop his secular practices.<ref name="Kirkwood"/>
In 1803, aged 50, Hidalgo arrived in Dolores accompanied by his family that included a younger brother, a cousin, two half sisters, as well as María and their two children.<ref name="Tuck"/> He obtained this parish in spite of his hearing before the Inquisition, which did not stop his secular practices.<ref name="Kirkwood"/>


After Hidalgo settled in Dolores, he turned over most of the clerical duties to one of his vicars, Francisco Iglesias, and devoted himself almost exclusively to commerce, intellectual pursuits and humanitarian activities.<ref name="Tuck" /> He spent much of his time studying literature, scientific works, [[Viticulture|grape cultivation]], and the raising of [[silkworms]].<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="Sosa">{{cite book|last=Sosa|first=Francisco|title=Biografias de Mexicanos Distinguidos|volume=472|year=1985|publisher=Editorial Porrua SA|location=Mexico City|language=es|isbn=968-452-050-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/biografiasdemexi0000sosa_num472/page/288 288–292]|url=https://archive.org/details/biografiasdemexi0000sosa_num472/page/288}}</ref> He used the knowledge that he gained to promote economic activities for the poor and rural people in his area. He established factories to make bricks and pottery and trained indigenous people in the making of leather.<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="Sosa" /> He promoted [[beekeeping]].<ref name="Sosa" /> He was interested in promoting activities of commercial value to use the natural resources of the area to help the poor.<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" /> His goal was to make the indigenous and mestizos more self-reliant. However, these activities violated [[Mercantilism|mercantilist]] policies designed to protect agriculture and industry in Spain, and Hidalgo was ordered to stop them. These policies as well as exploitation of mixed race [[casta]]s fostered animosity in Hidalgo towards the Peninsular-born Spaniards in Mexico.<ref name="Kirkwood" />
After Hidalgo settled in Dolores, he turned over most of the clerical duties to one of his vicars, Francisco Iglesias, and devoted himself almost exclusively to commerce, intellectual pursuits and humanitarian activities.<ref name="Tuck" /> He spent much of his time studying literature, scientific works, [[Viticulture|grape cultivation]], and the raising of [[silkworms]].<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="Sosa">{{cite book|last=Sosa|first=Francisco|title=Biografias de Mexicanos Distinguidos|volume=472|year=1985|publisher=Editorial Porrua SA|location=Mexico City|language=es|isbn=968-452-050-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/biografiasdemexi0000sosa_num472/page/288 288–292]|url=https://archive.org/details/biografiasdemexi0000sosa_num472/page/288}}</ref> He used the knowledge that he gained to promote economic activities for the poor and rural people in his area. He established factories to make bricks and pottery and trained indigenous people in the making of leather.<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="Sosa" /> He promoted [[beekeeping]].<ref name="Sosa" /> He was interested in promoting activities of commercial value to use the natural resources of the area to help the poor.<ref name="sanmiguelguide1" /> His goal was to make the indigenous and mestizos more self-reliant. However, these activities violated [[Mercantilism|mercantilist]] policies designed to protect agriculture and industry in Spain, and Hidalgo was ordered to stop them. These policies as well as exploitation of mixed race [[casta]]s fostered animosity in Hidalgo towards the Peninsular-born Spaniards in Mexico.<ref name="Kirkwood" />
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{{Main|Grito de Dolores}}
{{Main|Grito de Dolores}}
[[File:Palacio Nacional. Campana de Dolores.jpg|thumb|upright|The Bell of Dolores was moved from the church to [[National Palace (Mexico)|Mexico's National Palace]] after Hidalgo's death and is rung each year on independence day by the president]]
[[File:Palacio Nacional. Campana de Dolores.jpg|thumb|upright|The Bell of Dolores was moved from the church to [[National Palace (Mexico)|Mexico's National Palace]] after Hidalgo's death and is rung each year on independence day by the president]]
Fearing his arrest,<ref name="Kirkwood" /> Hidalgo commanded his brother Mauricio, as well as [[Ignacio Allende]] and [[Mariano Abasolo]], to go with a number of other armed men to make the sheriff release prison inmates in Dolores on the night of 15 September 1810, setting eighty free. On the morning of 16 September 1810, Hidalgo celebrated [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], which was attended by about 300 people, including hacienda owners, local politicians, and Spaniards. There he gave what is now known as the ''[[Grito de Dolores]]'' (Cry of Dolores),<ref name=" Sosa" /> calling the people of his parish to leave their homes and join with him in a rebellion against the current government, in the name of their King, [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]].<ref name=" Vázquez" />
Fearing arrest,<ref name="Kirkwood" /> Hidalgo ordered his brother Mauricio, as well as [[Ignacio Allende]] and [[Mariano Abasolo]], to go with a number of other armed men to make the sheriff release prison inmates in Dolores on the night of 15 September 1810, setting eighty free. On the morning of 16 September 1810, Hidalgo celebrated [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], which was attended by about 300 people, including hacienda owners, local politicians, and Spaniards. There he gave what is now known as the ''[[Grito de Dolores]]'' (Cry of Dolores),<ref name=" Sosa" /> calling the people of his parish to leave their homes and join with him in a rebellion against the current government, in the name of their King, [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]].<ref name=" Vázquez" />


Hidalgo's ''Grito'' did not condemn the notion of monarchy or criticize the current social order in detail, but his opposition to the events in Spain and the current viceregal government was clearly expressed in his reference to bad government. The ''Grito'' also emphasized loyalty to the Catholic religion, a sentiment with which both Creoles and Peninsulares could sympathize.<ref name="Kirkwood" />
Hidalgo's ''Grito'' did not condemn the notion of monarchy or criticize the current social order in detail, but his opposition to the events in Spain and the current viceregal government was clearly expressed in his reference to bad government. The ''Grito'' also emphasized loyalty to the Catholic religion, a sentiment with which both Creoles and Peninsulares could sympathize.<ref name="Kirkwood" />


== Hidalgo's army – from Celaya to Monte de las Cruces ==
== Hidalgo's army – from Celaya to Monte de las Cruces ==
[[File:Miguel Hidalgo con estandarte.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Hidalgo, as the [[father]] of Mexico, carrying his banner with the image of [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]] (a 1905 painting by [[Antonio Fabrés]])]]
[[File:Miguel Hidalgo con estandarte.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Hidalgo, as the "father of Mexico", carrying his banner with the image of [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]] (a 1905 painting by [[Antonio Fabrés]])]]
Hidalgo was met with an outpouring of support. Intellectuals, liberal priests and many poor people followed Hidalgo with enthusiasm.<ref name="Kirkwood" /> His movement was joined by mestizos and the indigenous in such numbers that the original motives of the Querétaro group were obscured.<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="encworld">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of World Biography|title=Miguel Hidalgo y Costialla|year=2004|publisher=Thomson Gale}}</ref> Ignacio Allende, Hidalgo's main co-conspirator in Querétaro, remained more loyal to the Querétaro group's original, criollo centered objectives. However, Hidalgo's actions and the people's response meant he would lead and not Allende. Allende had acquired military training when New Spain established a colonial militia whereas Hidalgo had none. The insurgents who followed Hidalgo also had no military training, experience or equipment. Many of these people were poor who were angry after many years of hunger and oppression. Consequently, Hidalgo was the leader of undisciplined rebels.<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="Kirkwood" />
Hidalgo was met with an outpouring of support. Intellectuals, liberal priests and many poor people followed Hidalgo with enthusiasm.<ref name="Kirkwood" /> His movement was joined by mestizos and the indigenous in such numbers that the original motives of the Querétaro group were obscured.<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="encworld">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of World Biography|title=Miguel Hidalgo y Costialla|year=2004|publisher=Thomson Gale}}</ref> Ignacio Allende, Hidalgo's main co-conspirator in Querétaro, remained more loyal to the Querétaro group's original, criollo centered objectives. However, Hidalgo's actions and the people's response meant he would lead and not Allende. Allende had acquired military training when New Spain established a colonial militia whereas Hidalgo had none. The insurgents who followed Hidalgo also had no military training, experience or equipment. Many of these people were poor who were angry after many years of hunger and oppression. Consequently, Hidalgo was the leader of undisciplined rebels.<ref name="Vázquez" /><ref name="Kirkwood" />


Hidalgo's leadership gave the insurgent movement a supernatural aspect. Many villagers that joined the insurgent army came to believe that Fernando VII himself commanded their loyalty to Hidalgo and the monarch was in New Spain personally directing the rebellion against the Viceroyalty. Historian Eric Van Young believes that such ideas gave the movement supernatural and religious legitimacy that went as far as messianic expectation.<ref name="vanyoung">{{cite book|last=Van Young|first=Eric|title=Other Rebellion: Popular Violence and Ideology in Mexico, 1810–1821|year=2001|publisher=Stanford University Press|location=Palo Alto, California|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Zn_nCFYY_4C|isbn=978-0-8047-3740-1}}</ref>
Hidalgo's leadership gave the insurgent movement a supernatural aspect. Many villagers that joined the insurgent army came to believe that Fernando VII himself commanded their loyalty to Hidalgo and the monarch was in New Spain personally directing the rebellion against the Viceroyalty. Historian Eric Van Young believes that such ideas gave the movement supernatural and religious legitimacy that went as far as messianic expectation.<ref name="vanyoung">{{cite book|last=Van Young|first=Eric|title=Other Rebellion: Popular Violence and Ideology in Mexico, 1810–1821|year=2001|publisher=Stanford University Press|location=Palo Alto, California|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Zn_nCFYY_4C|isbn=978-0-8047-3740-1}}</ref>


[[File:Campaña de Hidalgo.png|thumb|right|Map of Hidalgo's Campaign]]
[[File:Campaña de Hidalgo.png|thumb|right|Map of Hidalgo's campaign]]
Hidalgo and Allende left Dolores with about 800 men, half of whom were on horseback.<ref name="fuego"/> They marched through the [[Bajío]] area, through [[Sanctuary of Atotonilco|Atotonilco]], San Miguel el Grande (present-day [[San Miguel de Allende]]), Chamucuero, [[Celaya]], [[Salamanca]], [[Irapuato]] and [[Silao]], to [[Guanajuato]]. From Guanajuato, Hidalgo directed his troops to [[Morelia|Valladolid, Michoacán]]. They remained here for a while and eventually marched towards Mexico City.<ref name="elbalero">{{cite web|url=http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/historia/html/independ/biohidalgo.html|title=Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822042337/http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/historia/html/independ/biohidalgo.html|archive-date=22 August 2008}}</ref> From Valladolid, they marched through the [[State of Mexico]], through the cities of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, Toluca coming as close to Mexico City as the Monte de las Cruces, between the [[Valley of Toluca]] and the [[Valley of Mexico]].<ref name="Sosa" />
Hidalgo and Allende left Dolores with about 800 men, half of whom were on horseback.<ref name="fuego"/> They marched through the [[Bajío]] area, through [[Sanctuary of Atotonilco|Atotonilco]], San Miguel el Grande (present-day [[San Miguel de Allende]]), Chamucuero, [[Celaya]], [[Salamanca]], [[Irapuato]] and [[Silao]], to [[Guanajuato]]. From Guanajuato, Hidalgo directed his troops to [[Morelia|Valladolid, Michoacán]]. They remained here for a while and eventually marched towards Mexico City.<ref name="elbalero">{{cite web|url=http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/historia/html/independ/biohidalgo.html|title=Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822042337/http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/historia/html/independ/biohidalgo.html|archive-date=22 August 2008}}</ref> From Valladolid, they marched through the [[State of Mexico]], through the cities of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, Toluca coming as close to Mexico City as the Monte de las Cruces, between the [[Valley of Toluca]] and the [[Valley of Mexico]].<ref name="Sosa" />


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On [[Capture of Alhóndiga de Granaditas|28 September 1810]], Hidalgo arrived at the city of [[Guanajuato City|Guanajuato]] with rebels who were mostly armed with sticks, stones, and machetes. The town's peninsular and criollo populations took refuge in the fortified [[Alhóndiga de Granaditas]] commanded by Juan Antonio de Riaño.<ref name="Sosa" /> The insurgents overwhelmed the defenses after two days and killed an estimated 400 – 600 people. Allende strongly protested these events and while Hidalgo agreed that they were heinous, he also stated that he understood the historical patterns that shaped such responses. The attacks prompted criollos and peninsulares to ally against the insurgents and caused Hidalgo to lose support from liberal criollos.<ref name="Kirkwood" />
On [[Capture of Alhóndiga de Granaditas|28 September 1810]], Hidalgo arrived at the city of [[Guanajuato City|Guanajuato]] with rebels who were mostly armed with sticks, stones, and machetes. The town's peninsular and criollo populations took refuge in the fortified [[Alhóndiga de Granaditas]] commanded by Juan Antonio de Riaño.<ref name="Sosa" /> The insurgents overwhelmed the defenses after two days and killed an estimated 400 – 600 people. Allende strongly protested these events and while Hidalgo agreed that they were heinous, he also stated that he understood the historical patterns that shaped such responses. The attacks prompted criollos and peninsulares to ally against the insurgents and caused Hidalgo to lose support from liberal criollos.<ref name="Kirkwood" />


[[File:Doliente de Hidalgo.png|left|thumb|Flag El Doliente de Hidalgo, was captured by the Spanish army in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, 2 January 1812.]]
[[File:Doliente de Hidalgo.png|left|thumb|El Doliente de Hidalgo flag, captured by the Spanish army in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, 2 January 1812.]]
From Guanajuato, Hidalgo set off for Valladolid on 10 October 1810 with 15,000&nbsp;men.<ref name="mexdes"/><ref name="Sosa" /> When he arrived at [[Acámbaro]], he was promoted to [[generalissimo]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=We4MAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Ac%C3%A1mbaro%22|title=Artes de México|date=1960|publisher=Frente Nacional de Artes Plásticas|volume=Issues 174–178|page=92|language=en}}</ref> and given the title of His Most Serene Highness, with power to legislate. With his new rank he had a blue uniform with a [[clerical collar]] and red lapels embroidered with silver and gold. His uniform also included a black [[baldric]] also embroidered with gold. There was also a large image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in gold on his chest.<ref name="Sosa" />
From Guanajuato, Hidalgo set off for Valladolid on 10 October 1810 with 15,000&nbsp;men.<ref name="mexdes"/><ref name="Sosa" /> When he arrived at [[Acámbaro]], he was promoted to [[generalissimo]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=We4MAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Ac%C3%A1mbaro%22|title=Artes de México Issues 174–178|date=1960|publisher=Frente Nacional de Artes Plásticas|page=92|language=en}}</ref> and given the title of His Most Serene Highness, with power to legislate. With his new rank he had a blue uniform with a [[clerical collar]] and red lapels embroidered with silver and gold. His uniform also included a black [[baldric]] also embroidered with gold. There was also a large image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in gold on his chest.<ref name="Sosa" />


Hidalgo and his forces took Valladolid with little opposition on 17 October 1810.<ref name="mexdes" /><ref name="Sosa" /> There, Hidalgo issued proclamations against the peninsulares, whom he accused of arrogance and despotism, as well as enslaving those in the Americas for almost 300&nbsp;years. Hidalgo argued that the objective of the war was "to send the [[Peninsulares|''gachupines'']] back to the motherland", accusing their greed and tyranny as leading to the temporal and spiritual degradation of Mexicans.<ref name="Fowler">{{cite book|last=Fowler|first=Will|title=Political Violence and the Construction of National Identity in Latin America.|year=2006|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=Gordonsville, Virginia|isbn=978-1-4039-7388-7}}</ref> Hidalgo forced the Bishop-elect of Michoacan, [[Manuel Abad y Queipo]], to rescind the [[excommunication]] order he had circulated against him on 24 September 1810.<ref name="Sosa" /><ref name="Villalpando">{{cite news|first=Jose Manuel|last=Villalpando|title=Mitos del Padre de la Patria.(Cultura)|publisher=La Reforma|location=Mexico City|page=4|date=4 December 2002|language=es}}</ref> Later, the Inquisition issued an excommunication edict on 13 October 1810 condemning Hidalgo as a seditionary, [[apostate]], and [[heresy|heretic]].<ref name="vanyoung" />
Hidalgo and his forces took Valladolid with little opposition on 17 October 1810.<ref name="mexdes" /><ref name="Sosa" /> There, Hidalgo issued proclamations against the peninsulares, whom he accused of arrogance and despotism, as well as enslaving those in the Americas for almost 300&nbsp;years. Hidalgo argued that the objective of the war was "to send the [[Peninsulares|''gachupines'']] back to the motherland", accusing their greed and tyranny as leading to the temporal and spiritual degradation of Mexicans.<ref name="Fowler">{{cite book|last=Fowler|first=Will|title=Political Violence and the Construction of National Identity in Latin America.|year=2006|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=Gordonsville, Virginia|isbn=978-1-4039-7388-7}}</ref> Hidalgo forced the Bishop-elect of Michoacan, [[Manuel Abad y Queipo]], to rescind the [[excommunication]] order he had circulated against him on 24 September 1810.<ref name="Sosa" /><ref name="Villalpando">{{cite news|first=Jose Manuel|last=Villalpando|title=Mitos del Padre de la Patria.(Cultura)|publisher=La Reforma|location=Mexico City|page=4|date=4 December 2002|language=es}}</ref> Later, the Inquisition issued an excommunication edict on 13 October 1810 condemning Hidalgo as a seditionary, [[apostate]], and [[heresy|heretic]].<ref name="vanyoung" />
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The insurgents stayed in the city preparing to march to the capital of New Spain, [[Mexico City]].<ref name="elbalero" /> The [[Canon (priest)|canon]] of the cathedral met Hidalgo and made him promise that the atrocities of San Miguel, Celaya and Guanajuato would not be repeated in Valladolid. Wholesale destruction of the city was not repeated. However, Hidalgo was furious when he found the cathedral locked to him, which led him to jail Spaniards, replace city officials with his own and looting the city treasury before marching off toward Mexico City.<ref name="Tuck" /> On 19 October, Hidalgo left Valladolid for Mexico City after taking{{clarify|date=January 2014}} 400,000&nbsp;pesos from the cathedral to pay expenses.<ref name="Sosa" />
The insurgents stayed in the city preparing to march to the capital of New Spain, [[Mexico City]].<ref name="elbalero" /> The [[Canon (priest)|canon]] of the cathedral met Hidalgo and made him promise that the atrocities of San Miguel, Celaya and Guanajuato would not be repeated in Valladolid. Wholesale destruction of the city was not repeated. However, Hidalgo was furious when he found the cathedral locked to him, which led him to jail Spaniards, replace city officials with his own and looting the city treasury before marching off toward Mexico City.<ref name="Tuck" /> On 19 October, Hidalgo left Valladolid for Mexico City after taking{{clarify|date=January 2014}} 400,000&nbsp;pesos from the cathedral to pay expenses.<ref name="Sosa" />


Hidalgo and his troops left the state of [[Michoacán]] and marched through the towns of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, and Toluca before stopping in the forested mountain area of Monte de las Cruces.<ref name="Sosa" /><ref name="sanmiguelguide2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/miguel-hidalgo-2.htm|title=Part II: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es}}</ref> Here, insurgent forces engaged Torcuato Trujillo's royalist forces. Hidalgo's troops led the royalist troops to retreat, but the insurgents suffered heavy casualties, as they had when they engaged royalist soldiers in Guanajuato.<ref name="mexdes" /><ref name="Kirkwood" /><ref name="Benjamin">{{cite book|last=Benjamin|first=Thomas|title=Revolución: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth, and History|year=2000|publisher=University of Texas Press|location=Austin|isbn=978-0-292-70880-8}}</ref>
Hidalgo and his troops left the state of [[Michoacán]] and marched through the towns of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, and Toluca before stopping in the forested mountain area of Monte de las Cruces.<ref name="Sosa" /><ref name="sanmiguelguide2">{{cite web|url=http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/miguel-hidalgo-2.htm|title=Part II: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)|access-date=27 November 2008|language=es|archive-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201172806/http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/miguel-hidalgo-2.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Here, insurgent forces engaged Torcuato Trujillo's royalist forces. Hidalgo's troops led the royalist troops to retreat, but the insurgents suffered heavy casualties, as they had when they engaged royalist soldiers in Guanajuato.<ref name="mexdes" /><ref name="Kirkwood" /><ref name="Benjamin">{{cite book|last=Benjamin|first=Thomas|title=Revolución: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth, and History|year=2000|publisher=University of Texas Press|location=Austin|isbn=978-0-292-70880-8}}</ref>


== Retreat from Mexico City ==
== Retreat from Mexico City ==
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During this time, insurgent violence mounted in [[Guadalajara]]. Citizens loyal to the viceregal government were seized and executed. While indiscriminate looting was avoided, insurgents targeted properties of criollos and Spaniards, regardless of political affiliation.<ref name="Kirkwood" /><ref name="Sosa" /> In the meantime, the royalist army had retaken Guanajuato, forcing Allende to flee to Guadalajara.<ref name="sanmiguelguide2" /> After he arrived at the city, Allende again objected to Hidalgo concerning the insurgent violence. However, Hidalgo knew the royalist army was on its way to Guadalajara and wanted to stay on good terms with his own army.<ref name="Sosa" />
During this time, insurgent violence mounted in [[Guadalajara]]. Citizens loyal to the viceregal government were seized and executed. While indiscriminate looting was avoided, insurgents targeted properties of criollos and Spaniards, regardless of political affiliation.<ref name="Kirkwood" /><ref name="Sosa" /> In the meantime, the royalist army had retaken Guanajuato, forcing Allende to flee to Guadalajara.<ref name="sanmiguelguide2" /> After he arrived at the city, Allende again objected to Hidalgo concerning the insurgent violence. However, Hidalgo knew the royalist army was on its way to Guadalajara and wanted to stay on good terms with his own army.<ref name="Sosa" />

[[File:José Mariano Jimenez.png|thumb|upright|[[José Mariano Jiménez]], one of representatives of Hidalgo ]]
[[File:José Mariano Jimenez.png|thumb|upright|[[José Mariano Jiménez]], one of Hidalgo's representatives]]

After Guanajuato had been retaken by royalist forces, Bishop Manuel Abad y Queipo excommunicated Hidalgo and those following or helping him on 24 December 1810. Abad y Queipo had formerly been a friend of Hidalgo, but he was adamantly opposed to Hidalgo's tactics and the resultant disruptions, alleged "sacrileges" and purported ill-treatment of priests. The Inquisition pronounced an edict against Hidalgo, charging him with denying that God punishes sins in this world, doubting the authenticity of the Bible, denouncing the popes and Church government, allowing Jews not to convert to Christianity, denying the perpetual virginity of Mary, preaching that there was no hell, and adopting [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] doctrine with regard to the [[Eucharist]]. Hidalgo responded that he had never departed from Church doctrine in the slightest degree.<ref name="Sosa" />
After Guanajuato had been retaken by royalist forces, Bishop Manuel Abad y Queipo excommunicated Hidalgo and those following or helping him on 24 December 1810. Abad y Queipo had formerly been a friend of Hidalgo, but he was adamantly opposed to Hidalgo's tactics and the resultant disruptions, alleged "sacrileges" and purported ill-treatment of priests. The Inquisition pronounced an edict against Hidalgo, charging him with denying that God punishes sins in this world, doubting the authenticity of the Bible, denouncing the popes and Church government, allowing Jews not to convert to Christianity, denying the perpetual virginity of Mary, preaching that there was no hell, and adopting [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] doctrine with regard to the [[Eucharist]]. Hidalgo responded that he had never departed from Church doctrine in the slightest degree.<ref name="Sosa" />


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[[File:Prisionhidalgomapimi.JPG|thumb|left|[[State of Durango]]'s prison where Hidalgo was imprisoned in his capture in 1811]]
[[File:Prisionhidalgomapimi.JPG|thumb|left|[[State of Durango]]'s prison where Hidalgo was imprisoned in his capture in 1811]]


Hidalgo was turned over to Durango, where Bishop Francisco Gabriel de Olivares had him officially [[defrocking|defrocked]] and excommunicated on 27 July 1811. He was subsequently declared guilty of treason by a military court. He was tortured through the [[flaying]] of his hands, symbolically removing the chrism placed upon them at his priestly ordination and executed. There are many theories about how he was killed, the most popular that he was killed by [[firing squad]] in the morning of 30 July.<ref name="Sosa" />{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=124}} Before his execution, he thanked his jailers, two soldiers, Ortega and Melchor, for their humane treatment. At his execution, Hidalgo [[last words|stated]] "Though I may die, I shall be remembered forever; you all will soon be forgotten."<ref name="inah" /><ref name="Vidali">{{cite news|first=Carlos|last=Vidali|title=Fusilamiento Miguel Hidalgo|publisher=La Prensa de San Antonio|location=San Antonio|page=1|date=4 December 2008|language=es}}</ref> His body and the bodies of Allende, Aldama and [[José Mariano Jiménez]] were decapitated, and the heads were put on display in the four corners of the [[Alhóndiga de Granaditas]] in [[Guanajuato]].<ref name="Vázquez" /> The heads remained there for ten years until the end of the [[Mexican War of Independence]] to demoralize insurgents.<ref name="Kirkwood" /> Hidalgo's headless body was first displayed outside the prison and then buried in the [[San Francisco Temple|Church of St Francis]] in [[Chihuahua, Chihuahua|Chihuahua]]. The remains were transferred to Mexico City in 1824.<ref name="inah" />
Hidalgo was turned over to Durango, where Bishop Francisco Gabriel de Olivares had him officially [[defrocking|defrocked]] and excommunicated on 27 July 1811. He was subsequently declared guilty of treason by a military court. He was tortured through the [[flaying]] of his hands, symbolically removing the chrism placed upon them at his priestly ordination and executed. There are many theories about how he was killed, the most popular that he was killed by [[firing squad]] in the morning of 30 July.<ref name="Sosa" />{{sfn|Noll|McMahon|1910|p=124}} Before his execution, he thanked his jailers, two soldiers, Ortega and Melchor, for their humane treatment. At his execution, Hidalgo [[Last words|stated]] "Though I may die, I shall be remembered forever; you all will soon be forgotten."<ref name="inah" /><ref name="Vidali">{{cite news|first=Carlos|last=Vidali|title=Fusilamiento Miguel Hidalgo|publisher=La Prensa de San Antonio|location=San Antonio|page=1|date=4 December 2008|language=es}}</ref> His body and the bodies of Allende, Aldama and [[José Mariano Jiménez]] were decapitated, and the heads were put on display in the four corners of the [[Alhóndiga de Granaditas]] in [[Guanajuato]].<ref name="Vázquez" /> The heads remained there for ten years until the end of the [[Mexican War of Independence]] to demoralize insurgents.<ref name="Kirkwood" /> Hidalgo's headless body was first displayed outside the prison and then buried in the [[San Francisco Temple|Church of St Francis]] in [[Chihuahua, Chihuahua|Chihuahua]]. The remains were transferred to Mexico City in 1824.<ref name="inah" />


[[File:ChihAltar.jpg|thumb|The Altar of the Fatherland; the spot where Hidalgo was executed by the Spanish in the present-day [[Government Palace of Chihuahua]], [[Chihuahua City]]]]
[[File:ChihAltar.jpg|thumb|The Altar of the Fatherland; the spot where Hidalgo was executed by the Spanish in the present-day [[Government Palace of Chihuahua]], [[Chihuahua City]]]]

Hidalgo's death resulted in a political vacuum on the insurgent side until 1812. The royalist military commander, General [[Félix María Calleja del Rey|Félix Calleja]], continued to pursue rebel troops. Insurgent fighting evolved into [[guerrilla warfare]],<ref name="vanyoung" /> and eventually the next major insurgent leader, [[José María Morelos|José María Morelos Pérez y Pavón]], who had led rebel movements with Hidalgo, became head of the insurgents, until Morelos himself was captured and executed in 1815.<ref name="Kirkwood" />
Hidalgo's death resulted in a political vacuum on the insurgent side until 1812. The royalist military commander, General [[Félix María Calleja del Rey|Félix Calleja]], continued to pursue rebel troops. Insurgent fighting evolved into [[guerrilla warfare]],<ref name="vanyoung" /> and eventually the next major insurgent leader, [[José María Morelos|José María Morelos Pérez y Pavón]], who had led rebel movements with Hidalgo, became head of the insurgents, until Morelos himself was captured and executed in 1815.<ref name="Kirkwood" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
[[File:El apoteosis de Padre de la Patria DF MEX.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Apotheosis of the Father of the Nation on the [[Angel of Independence|Independence Monument]], front view]]
[[File:Esculturas del Monumento a la Independencia 04.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Apotheosis of the Father of the Nation on the [[Angel of Independence|Independence Monument]], front view]]

"Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had the unique distinction of being a father in three senses of the word: a priestly father in the Roman Catholic Church, a biological father who produced illegitimate children in violation of his clerical vows, and the father of his country."<ref>[http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/291-miguel-hidalgo-the-father-who-fathered-a-country-1753%E2%80%931811 Profile], mexconnect.com; accessed 31 January 2014.</ref> He has been hailed as the ''[[Father of the Nation]]''<ref name="Vázquez" /> even though it was [[Agustín de Iturbide]] and not Hidalgo who became the first [[List of presidents of Mexico|head of state of Mexico]] in 1821.<ref name="Vanden" /> Shortly after gaining independence, the day to celebrate it varied between 16 September, the day of Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores, and 27 September, when Iturbide's forces captured Mexico City, ending the war.<ref name="Benjamin" />
"Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had the unique distinction of being a father in three senses of the word: a priestly father in the Roman Catholic Church, a biological father who produced illegitimate children in violation of his clerical vows, and the father of his country."<ref>[http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/291-miguel-hidalgo-the-father-who-fathered-a-country-1753%E2%80%931811 Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109190049/http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/291-miguel-hidalgo-the-father-who-fathered-a-country-1753%E2%80%931811 |date=9 January 2012 }}, mexconnect.com; accessed 31 January 2014.</ref> He has been hailed as the ''[[Father of the Nation]]''<ref name="Vázquez" /> even though it was [[Agustín de Iturbide]] and not Hidalgo who became the first [[List of presidents of Mexico|head of state of Mexico]] in 1821.<ref name="Vanden" /> Shortly after gaining independence, the day to celebrate it varied between 16 September, the day of Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores, and 27 September, when Iturbide's forces captured Mexico City, ending the war.<ref name="Benjamin" />


Later, political movements would favor the more liberal Hidalgo over the conservative Iturbide, and 16 September 1810 became officially recognized as the day of Mexican independence.<ref name="Vanden" /> The reason for this is that Hidalgo is considered to be "precursor and creator of the rest of the heroes of the (Mexican War of) Independence."<ref name="Sosa" />
Later, political movements would favor the more liberal Hidalgo over the conservative Iturbide, and 16 September 1810 became officially recognized as the day of Mexican independence.<ref name="Vanden" /> The reason for this is that Hidalgo is considered to be "precursor and creator of the rest of the heroes of the (Mexican War of) Independence."<ref name="Sosa" />


[[File:MiguelHidalgoMural.jpg|thumb|Mural of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla]]
[[File:MiguelHidalgoMural.jpg|thumb|Mural of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla]]

[[Diego Rivera]] painted Hidalgo's image in half a dozen murals. [[José Clemente Orozco]] depicted him with a flaming torch of liberty and considered the painting among his best work. [[David Alfaro Siqueiros]] was commissioned by San Nicolas McGinty University in Morelia to paint a mural for a celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hidalgo's birth.<ref name="Siqueiros">{{cite magazine|date=18 May 1953|title=Siqueiros & the Hero Priest|magazine=Time|publisher=Time/CNN|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,818504,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222132427/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,818504,00.html|archive-date=22 December 2008}}</ref> The town of his parish was renamed Dolores Hidalgo in his honor and the state of [[Hidalgo (state)|Hidalgo]] was created in 1869.<ref name="Benjamin" /> Every year on the night of 15–16 September, the president of Mexico re-enacts the Grito from the balcony of the [[National Palace (Mexico)|National Palace]]. This scene is repeated by the heads of cities and towns all over Mexico.<ref name="vanyoung" /> He is also the namesake of [[Hidalgo County, Texas]], in the United States.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Courthouses of Texas|year=2007|publisher=Texas A&M University Press|location=College Station|last1=Kelsey|first1=Mavis P. Sr|last2=Dyal|first2=Donald H.|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-58544-549-3|page=138}}</ref>
[[Diego Rivera]] painted Hidalgo's image in half a dozen murals. [[José Clemente Orozco]] depicted him with a flaming torch of liberty and considered the painting among his best work. [[David Alfaro Siqueiros]] was commissioned by San Nicolas McGinty University in Morelia to paint a mural for a celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hidalgo's birth.<ref name="Siqueiros">{{cite magazine|date=18 May 1953|title=Siqueiros & the Hero Priest|magazine=Time|publisher=Time/CNN|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,818504,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222132427/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,818504,00.html|archive-date=22 December 2008}}</ref> The town of his parish was renamed Dolores Hidalgo in his honor and the state of [[Hidalgo (state)|Hidalgo]] was created in 1869.<ref name="Benjamin" /> Every year on the night of 15–16 September, the president of Mexico re-enacts the Grito from the balcony of the [[National Palace (Mexico)|National Palace]]. This scene is repeated by the heads of cities and towns all over Mexico.<ref name="vanyoung" /> He is also the namesake of [[Hidalgo County, Texas]], in the United States.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Courthouses of Texas|year=2007|publisher=Texas A&M University Press|location=College Station|last1=Kelsey|first1=Mavis P. Sr|last2=Dyal|first2=Donald H.|edition=2nd|isbn=978-1-58544-549-3|page=138}}</ref>


The remains of Hidalgo lie in the column of the [[El Ángel|Angel of Independence]] in Mexico City. Next to it is a lamp lit to represent the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for Mexican Independence.<ref name="inah" /><ref name="Vidali"/>
The remains of Hidalgo lie in the column of the [[El Ángel|Angel of Independence]] in Mexico City. Next to it is a lamp lit to represent the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for Mexican Independence.<ref name="inah" /><ref name="Vidali"/>


His birthday is a civic holiday in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://inehrm.gob.mx/es/inehrm/Efemerides |title=Fechas Cívicas |website=Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México |access-date=7 May 2019 |language=es }}</ref>
His birthday is a civic holiday in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://inehrm.gob.mx/es/inehrm/Efemerides |title=Fechas Cívicas |website=Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México |access-date=7 May 2019 |language=es |archive-date=7 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507072123/https://inehrm.gob.mx/es/inehrm/Efemerides |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{clear}}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160px">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160px">
File:Angel de la Independencia Mexico City.jpg|Hidalgo was laid to rest at the base of the [[Angel of Independence]], Mexico City
File:Angel de la Independencia Mexico City.jpg|Hidalgo was laid to rest at the base of the [[Angel of Independence]], Mexico City
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== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|Catholicism|Mexico}}
* Minor planet [[944 Hidalgo]], named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
* Minor planet [[944 Hidalgo]], named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
* ''[[Hidalgo: La historia jamás contada]]'' (''2010 film'')
* ''[[Hidalgo: La historia jamás contada]]'' (2010 film)
* [[Statue of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (disambiguation)]]
* [[Statue of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (disambiguation)]]
* [[Banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe]]


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla}}


{{Mexico Holidays}}
{{Mexico Holidays}}
{{Subject bar |portal1= Biography |portal2= Catholicism |portal3= Mexico}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:1753 births]]
[[Category:1753 births]]
[[Category:1811 deaths]]
[[Category:1811 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Pénjamo]]
[[Category:19th century in Mexico]]
[[Category:Mexican Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:19th-century Mexican military personnel]]
[[Category:Mexican people of Spanish descent]]
[[Category:Armed priests]]
[[Category:Colonial Mexico]]
[[Category:18th-century Mexican people]]
[[Category:Mexican nationalists]]
[[Category:Executed Mexican people]]
[[Category:Executed Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:Generalissimos]]
[[Category:Mexican independence activists]]
[[Category:Mexican independence activists]]
[[Category:Mexican nationalists]]
[[Category:Mexican people of Spanish descent]]
[[Category:Mexican rebels]]
[[Category:Mexican rebels]]
[[Category:People excommunicated by the Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Mexican revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Executed Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:Mexican Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:Military history of Mexico]]
[[Category:Military history of Mexico]]
[[Category:Executed Mexican people]]
[[Category:People excommunicated by the Catholic Church]]
[[Category:People executed by New Spain]]
[[Category:People executed by New Spain]]
[[Category:19th century in Mexico]]
[[Category:Generalissimos]]
[[Category:People executed by Spain by firing squad]]
[[Category:People executed by Spain by firing squad]]
[[Category:Mexican revolutionaries]]
[[Category:People executed for treason against Spain]]
[[Category:Armed priests]]
[[Category:People from Pénjamo]]
[[Category:19th-century Mexican military personnel]]
[[Category:People of the Latin American wars of independence]]
[[Category:People of the Latin American wars of independence]]
[[Category:People executed for treason against Spain]]
[[Category:Mexican people of Basque descent]]

Latest revision as of 23:29, 10 November 2024


Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Posthumous portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811), by Joaquín Ramírez, 1865[1]
Birth nameMiguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mandarte y Villaseñor
Born(1753-05-08)8 May 1753
Pénjamo, Nueva Galicia, Viceroyalty of New Spain[2][3]
Died30 July 1811(1811-07-30) (aged 58)
Chihuahua, Nueva Vizcaya, Viceroyalty of New Spain
Cause of deathExecution by firing squad
Buried
AllegianceMexico
Service / branchMexican Insurgency
Years of service1810–1811
RankGeneralissimo
Battles / warsMexican War of Independence
Signature

Don Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mandarte y Villaseñor[4] (8 May 1753 – 30 July 1811), commonly known as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla or Miguel Hidalgo (Spanish pronunciation: [miˈɣel iˈðalɣo]), was a Catholic priest, leader of the Mexican War of Independence and recognized as the Father of the Nation.

A professor at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid, Hidalgo was influenced by Enlightenment ideas, which contributed to his ouster in 1792. He served in a church in Colima and then in Dolores. After his arrival, he was shocked by the rich soil he had found. He tried to help the poor by showing them how to grow olives and grapes, but in New Spain (modern Mexico) growing these crops was discouraged or prohibited by colonial authorities to prevent competition with imports from Spain.[5] On 16 September 1810 he gave the Cry of Dolores, a speech calling upon the people to protect the interest of their King Ferdinand VII, held captive during the Peninsular War, by revolting against the European-born Spaniards who had overthrown the Spanish Viceroy José de Iturrigaray.[6]

Hidalgo marched across Mexico and gathered an army of nearly 90,000 poor farmers and Mexican civilians who attacked Spanish Peninsular and Criollo elites. Hidalgo's insurgent army accumulated initial victories on its way to Mexico City, but his troops ultimately lacked training and were poorly armed. These troops ran into an army of well-trained and armed Spanish troops in the Battle of Calderón Bridge and were defeated.[7] After the battle, Hidalgo and his remaining troops fled north, but Hidalgo was betrayed, captured and executed.

Early years

[edit]
Corralejo, Pénjamo, Guanajuato, where Hidalgo was born

Hidalgo was the second-born child of Cristóbal Hidalgo y Costilla Espinoza de los Monteros and Ana María Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor, both criollos.[8] On his maternal side, he was of Basque ancestry. His most recent identifiable Spanish ancestor was his maternal great-grandfather, who was from Durango, Biscay.[9] On his paternal side, he descended from criollo families native to Tejupilco, which were well-respected within the criollo community.[10] Hidalgo's father was an hacienda manager in Valladolid, Michoacán, where Hidalgo spent the majority of his life.[11][12] Eight days after his birth, Hidalgo was baptized into the Catholic faith in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos.[13] Hidalgo's parents had three other sons; José Joaquín, Manuel Mariano, and José María,[8] before their mother died when Hildalgo was nine years old.[14] A step brother named Mariano was born later.[15]

In 1759, Charles III ascended the Spanish throne; he soon sent out a visitor-general with the power to investigate and reform all parts of colonial government. During this period, Cristóbal was determined that Miguel and his younger brother Joaquín should both enter the priesthood and hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Being of significant means he paid for all of his sons to receive the best education the region had to offer. After receiving private instruction, likely from the priest of the neighboring parish, Hidalgo was ready for further education.[8]

Education, ordination, and early career

[edit]

At the age of fifteen Hidalgo was sent to Valladolid (now Morelia), Michoacán, to study at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier with the Jesuits, along with his brothers.[16][17] When the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico in 1767, he entered the Colegio de San Nicolás,[3][18][19] where he studied for the priesthood.[3]

He completed his preparatory education in 1770. After this, he went to the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico in Mexico City for further study, earning his degree in philosophy and theology in 1773.[16] His education for the priesthood was traditional, with subjects in Latin, rhetoric and logic. Like many priests in Mexico, he studied indigenous languages,[19] such as Nahuatl, Otomi, and Purépecha. He also studied Italian and French, which were not commonly studied in Mexico at this time.[18] He earned the nickname "El Zorro" ("The Fox") for his reputation for cleverness at school.[2][20] Hidalgo's study of French allowed him to read and study works of the Enlightenment current in Europe[3] but, at the same time, forbidden by the Catholic church in Mexico.[2]

Etching depicting Hidalgo's portrait, on a pamphlet celebrating Mexican independence

Hidalgo was ordained as a priest in 1778 when he was 25 years old.[18][20] From 1779 to 1792, he dedicated himself to teaching at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid (now Morelia); it was "one of the most important educational centers of the viceroyalty."[21] He was a professor of Latin grammar and arts, as well as a theology professor. Beginning in 1787, he was named treasurer, vice-rector and secretary,[16] becoming dean of the school in 1790 when he was 39.[3][22] As rector, Hidalgo continued studying the liberal ideas that were coming from France and other parts of Europe. Authorities ousted him in 1792 for revising traditional teaching methods there, but also for "irregular handling of some funds."[23] The Church sent him to work at the parishes of Colima and San Felipe Torres Mochas until he became the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato,[18] succeeding his brother José Joaquín a few weeks after his death on 19 September 1802.[14]

Although Hidalgo had a traditional education for the priesthood, as an educator at the Colegio de San Nicolás he had innovated in teaching methods and curriculum. In his personal life, he did not advocate or live the way expected of 18th-century Mexican priests. Instead, his studies of Enlightenment-era ideas caused him to challenge traditional political and religious views. He questioned the absolute authority of the Spanish king and challenged numerous ideas presented by the Church, including the power of the popes, the virgin birth, and clerical celibacy. As a secular cleric, he was not bound by a vow of poverty, so he, like many other secular priests, pursued business activities, including owning three haciendas;[24] but contrary to his vow of chastity, he formed liaisons with women. One was with Manuela Ramos Pichardo, with whom he had two children, as well as a child with Bibiana Lucero.[23] He later lived with a woman named María Manuela Herrera,[19] fathering two daughters out of wedlock with her, and later fathered three other children with a woman named Josefa Quintana.[25]

These actions resulted in his appearance before the Court of the Inquisition, although the court did not find him guilty.[19] Hidalgo was an egalitarian. As parish priest in both San Felipe and Dolores, he opened his house to natives and mestizos as well as criollos.[20]

Background to the War of Independence

[edit]
Miguel Hidalgo proclaimed national independence in Dolores

The conspiracy of Querétaro

[edit]

Meanwhile, in the city of Querétaro, a conspiracy was brewing, organized by the mayor Miguel Domínguez and his wife Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez; members of the military, such as Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama and Mariano Abasolo, also participated. Allende was in charge of convincing Hidalgo to join his movement, since the priest of Dolores had very influential friends from all over the Bajío and even New Spain, such as Juan Antonio Riaño, mayor of Guanajuato, and Manuel Abad y Queipo, Bishop of Michoacán.

Napoleonic Wars

[edit]

In 1807, France and Spain signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau to invade Portugal, an ally of the United Kingdom. The French troops that were supposed to go through Spain to Portugal remained in Spain and the Spanish people were upset by the presence of the French troops as a result of the numerous excesses that the French committed against the Spanish people, such as occupation of the territory, numerous looting, pillaging, murder of civilians, and the kidnappings of King Charles IV and Prince Ferdinand VII. Also, Napoleon forced both to abdicate and installed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as King of Spain. This triggered a revolt by Spanish troops first and, subsequently, an uprising in Madrid, This was followed by further revolts across Spain. In August 1808, a British army landed in Portugal. Britain and France then went to war against each other in Portugal and Spain. The war and instability in Spain affected Mexico and other parts of New Spain.

Parish priest in Dolores

[edit]
Statue of Hidalgo in front of his church at Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato

In 1803, aged 50, Hidalgo arrived in Dolores accompanied by his family that included a younger brother, a cousin, two half sisters, as well as María and their two children.[20] He obtained this parish in spite of his hearing before the Inquisition, which did not stop his secular practices.[19]

After Hidalgo settled in Dolores, he turned over most of the clerical duties to one of his vicars, Francisco Iglesias, and devoted himself almost exclusively to commerce, intellectual pursuits and humanitarian activities.[20] He spent much of his time studying literature, scientific works, grape cultivation, and the raising of silkworms.[2][26] He used the knowledge that he gained to promote economic activities for the poor and rural people in his area. He established factories to make bricks and pottery and trained indigenous people in the making of leather.[2][26] He promoted beekeeping.[26] He was interested in promoting activities of commercial value to use the natural resources of the area to help the poor.[3] His goal was to make the indigenous and mestizos more self-reliant. However, these activities violated mercantilist policies designed to protect agriculture and industry in Spain, and Hidalgo was ordered to stop them. These policies as well as exploitation of mixed race castas fostered animosity in Hidalgo towards the Peninsular-born Spaniards in Mexico.[19]

In addition to restricting economic activities in New Spain, Spanish mercantile practices caused misery for native peoples. A drought in 1807–1808 caused a famine in the Dolores area, and rather than releasing stored grain to market, Spanish merchants blocked its release, speculating on price increases. Hidalgo lobbied against these practices but was not successful.[27]

Cry of Dolores

[edit]
The Bell of Dolores was moved from the church to Mexico's National Palace after Hidalgo's death and is rung each year on independence day by the president

Fearing arrest,[19] Hidalgo ordered his brother Mauricio, as well as Ignacio Allende and Mariano Abasolo, to go with a number of other armed men to make the sheriff release prison inmates in Dolores on the night of 15 September 1810, setting eighty free. On the morning of 16 September 1810, Hidalgo celebrated Mass, which was attended by about 300 people, including hacienda owners, local politicians, and Spaniards. There he gave what is now known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores),[26] calling the people of his parish to leave their homes and join with him in a rebellion against the current government, in the name of their King, Ferdinand VII.[2]

Hidalgo's Grito did not condemn the notion of monarchy or criticize the current social order in detail, but his opposition to the events in Spain and the current viceregal government was clearly expressed in his reference to bad government. The Grito also emphasized loyalty to the Catholic religion, a sentiment with which both Creoles and Peninsulares could sympathize.[19]

Hidalgo's army – from Celaya to Monte de las Cruces

[edit]
Hidalgo, as the "father of Mexico", carrying his banner with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe (a 1905 painting by Antonio Fabrés)

Hidalgo was met with an outpouring of support. Intellectuals, liberal priests and many poor people followed Hidalgo with enthusiasm.[19] His movement was joined by mestizos and the indigenous in such numbers that the original motives of the Querétaro group were obscured.[2][28] Ignacio Allende, Hidalgo's main co-conspirator in Querétaro, remained more loyal to the Querétaro group's original, criollo centered objectives. However, Hidalgo's actions and the people's response meant he would lead and not Allende. Allende had acquired military training when New Spain established a colonial militia whereas Hidalgo had none. The insurgents who followed Hidalgo also had no military training, experience or equipment. Many of these people were poor who were angry after many years of hunger and oppression. Consequently, Hidalgo was the leader of undisciplined rebels.[2][19]

Hidalgo's leadership gave the insurgent movement a supernatural aspect. Many villagers that joined the insurgent army came to believe that Fernando VII himself commanded their loyalty to Hidalgo and the monarch was in New Spain personally directing the rebellion against the Viceroyalty. Historian Eric Van Young believes that such ideas gave the movement supernatural and religious legitimacy that went as far as messianic expectation.[29]

Map of Hidalgo's campaign

Hidalgo and Allende left Dolores with about 800 men, half of whom were on horseback.[16] They marched through the Bajío area, through Atotonilco, San Miguel el Grande (present-day San Miguel de Allende), Chamucuero, Celaya, Salamanca, Irapuato and Silao, to Guanajuato. From Guanajuato, Hidalgo directed his troops to Valladolid, Michoacán. They remained here for a while and eventually marched towards Mexico City.[30] From Valladolid, they marched through the State of Mexico, through the cities of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, Toluca coming as close to Mexico City as the Monte de las Cruces, between the Valley of Toluca and the Valley of Mexico.[26]

Through numbers, Hidalgo's army had some early victories.[2] Hidalgo first went through the economically important and densely populated province of Guanajuato.[31] One of the first stops was at the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Atotonilco, where Hidalgo affixed an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe to a lance to adopt it as his banner.[26] He inscribed the following slogans to his troops' flags: "Long live religion! Long live our most Holy Mother of Guadalupe! Long live America and death to bad government!"[32] For the insurgents as a whole, the Virgin represented an intense and highly localized religious sensibility, invoked more to identify allies rather than create ideological alliances or a sense of nationalism.[29]

Banner with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe carried by Hidalgo and his insurgent militia. Liberal bishop-elect Manuel Abad y Queipo denounced the insurgents' use of her image as a sacrilege.

The extent and the intensity of the movement took colonial authorities by surprise.[31] San Miguel and Celaya were captured with little resistance. On 21 September 1810, Hidalgo was proclaimed general and supreme commander after arriving to Celaya. At this point, Hidalgo's army numbered about 5,000.[2][26] However, because of the lack of discipline, the insurgents soon fell into robbing, looting, ransacking towns and executing prisoners.[2] This caused friction between Allende and Hidalgo as early as the capture of San Miguel in late September 1810. When rioting ran through the city, Allende tried to break up violence by striking insurgents with the flat of his sword, which brought him a rebuke from Hidalgo.[20]

On 28 September 1810, Hidalgo arrived at the city of Guanajuato with rebels who were mostly armed with sticks, stones, and machetes. The town's peninsular and criollo populations took refuge in the fortified Alhóndiga de Granaditas commanded by Juan Antonio de Riaño.[26] The insurgents overwhelmed the defenses after two days and killed an estimated 400 – 600 people. Allende strongly protested these events and while Hidalgo agreed that they were heinous, he also stated that he understood the historical patterns that shaped such responses. The attacks prompted criollos and peninsulares to ally against the insurgents and caused Hidalgo to lose support from liberal criollos.[19]

El Doliente de Hidalgo flag, captured by the Spanish army in Zitácuaro, Michoacán, 2 January 1812.

From Guanajuato, Hidalgo set off for Valladolid on 10 October 1810 with 15,000 men.[18][26] When he arrived at Acámbaro, he was promoted to generalissimo[33] and given the title of His Most Serene Highness, with power to legislate. With his new rank he had a blue uniform with a clerical collar and red lapels embroidered with silver and gold. His uniform also included a black baldric also embroidered with gold. There was also a large image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in gold on his chest.[26]

Hidalgo and his forces took Valladolid with little opposition on 17 October 1810.[18][26] There, Hidalgo issued proclamations against the peninsulares, whom he accused of arrogance and despotism, as well as enslaving those in the Americas for almost 300 years. Hidalgo argued that the objective of the war was "to send the gachupines back to the motherland", accusing their greed and tyranny as leading to the temporal and spiritual degradation of Mexicans.[34] Hidalgo forced the Bishop-elect of Michoacan, Manuel Abad y Queipo, to rescind the excommunication order he had circulated against him on 24 September 1810.[26][35] Later, the Inquisition issued an excommunication edict on 13 October 1810 condemning Hidalgo as a seditionary, apostate, and heretic.[29]

The insurgents stayed in the city preparing to march to the capital of New Spain, Mexico City.[30] The canon of the cathedral met Hidalgo and made him promise that the atrocities of San Miguel, Celaya and Guanajuato would not be repeated in Valladolid. Wholesale destruction of the city was not repeated. However, Hidalgo was furious when he found the cathedral locked to him, which led him to jail Spaniards, replace city officials with his own and looting the city treasury before marching off toward Mexico City.[20] On 19 October, Hidalgo left Valladolid for Mexico City after taking[clarification needed] 400,000 pesos from the cathedral to pay expenses.[26]

Hidalgo and his troops left the state of Michoacán and marched through the towns of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, and Toluca before stopping in the forested mountain area of Monte de las Cruces.[26][36] Here, insurgent forces engaged Torcuato Trujillo's royalist forces. Hidalgo's troops led the royalist troops to retreat, but the insurgents suffered heavy casualties, as they had when they engaged royalist soldiers in Guanajuato.[18][19][37]

Retreat from Mexico City

[edit]
Missive that gives the explanation to avoid the attack on Mexico City, 1753 – Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, 1811

After the Battle of Monte de las Cruces on 30 October 1810, Hidalgo had some 100,000 insurgents and was in a strategic position to attack Mexico City.[2] Numerically, his forces outnumbered royalist forces.[19] The royalist government in Mexico City, under the leadership of Viceroy Francisco Venegas, prepared psychological and military defenses. An intensive propaganda campaign had advertised insurgent violence in the Bajío region and stressed the insurgents' threat against social stability. Hidalgo's insurgency also faced opposition from sedentary natives and castes of the Valley of Mexico.[28]

Hidalgo's forces came as close as what is now the Cuajimalpa borough of Mexico City.[16] Allende wanted to press forward and attack the capital, but Hidalgo disagreed.[26][36] Hidalgo's reasoning for this decision is unclear and has been debated by historians.[29][38] One explanation is that Hidalgo's forces were undisciplined and had suffered heavy losses whenever they encountered trained troops. As the capital was guarded by some of the most trained soldiers in New Spain,[19] Hidalgo decided to turn away from Mexico City and move to the north[38] through Toluca and Ixtlahuaca[30] with a destination of Guadalajara.[19]

Image extracted from Vicente's book Riva Palacio, Julio Zárate (1880) "México a través de los siglos" ( Mexico through the centuries) Tomo III: "La guerra de independencia" (The war of independence) (1808–1821).

After turning back, many insurgents deserted. By the time he got to Aculco, just north of Toluca, his army had shrunk to 40,000 men. New Spain General Felix Calleja attacked Hidalgo's forces, defeating them on 7 November 1810. Allende decided to take the troops under his command to Guanajuato, instead of Guadalajara.[36] Hidalgo arrived in Guadalajara on 26 November with more than 7,000 poorly armed troops.[26] He initially occupied the city with lower-class support because Hidalgo promised to end slavery, tribute payment and taxes on alcohol and tobacco.[19]

Hidalgo established an alternative government in Guadalajara with himself at the head and appointed two ministers.[26] On 6 December 1810, Hidalgo issued a decree abolishing slavery, threatening those who did not comply with death. He abolished tribute payments that indigenous peoples had to pay to criollo and peninsular lords. He ordered the publication of a newspaper called Despertador Americano (American Wake Up Call).[36] He named Pascacio Ortiz de Letona as representative of the insurgent government and sent him to the United States to seek support, but Ortiz de Letona was apprehended by the Spanish army and executed.[2]

During this time, insurgent violence mounted in Guadalajara. Citizens loyal to the viceregal government were seized and executed. While indiscriminate looting was avoided, insurgents targeted properties of criollos and Spaniards, regardless of political affiliation.[19][26] In the meantime, the royalist army had retaken Guanajuato, forcing Allende to flee to Guadalajara.[36] After he arrived at the city, Allende again objected to Hidalgo concerning the insurgent violence. However, Hidalgo knew the royalist army was on its way to Guadalajara and wanted to stay on good terms with his own army.[26]

José Mariano Jiménez, one of Hidalgo's representatives

After Guanajuato had been retaken by royalist forces, Bishop Manuel Abad y Queipo excommunicated Hidalgo and those following or helping him on 24 December 1810. Abad y Queipo had formerly been a friend of Hidalgo, but he was adamantly opposed to Hidalgo's tactics and the resultant disruptions, alleged "sacrileges" and purported ill-treatment of priests. The Inquisition pronounced an edict against Hidalgo, charging him with denying that God punishes sins in this world, doubting the authenticity of the Bible, denouncing the popes and Church government, allowing Jews not to convert to Christianity, denying the perpetual virginity of Mary, preaching that there was no hell, and adopting Lutheran doctrine with regard to the Eucharist. Hidalgo responded that he had never departed from Church doctrine in the slightest degree.[26]

Royalist forces marched to Guadalajara, arriving in January 1811 with nearly 6,000 men.[19] Allende and Abasolo wanted to concentrate their forces in the city and plan an escape route should they be defeated, but Hidalgo rejected this, deciding to make a stand at the Calderón Bridge (Puente de Calderón) just outside the city. Hidalgo had between 80,000 and 100,000 men and 95 cannons, but the better trained royalists decisively defeated the insurgent army, forcing Hidalgo to flee towards Aguascalientes.[19][26] At Hacienda de Pabellón, on 25 January 1811, near the city of Aguascalientes, Allende and other insurgent leaders took military command away from Hidalgo, blaming him for their defeats.[26] Hidalgo remained as head politically but with military command going to Allende.[36]

The insurgent Army[39] moved north towards Zacatecas and Saltillo with the goal of making connections in the United States for support.[18][25] Hidalgo reached Saltillo, where he publicly resigned his military post and rejected a pardon offered by General José de la Cruz in the name of Venegas in return for Hidalgo's surrender.[16] A short time later, they were betrayed and captured by royalist Ignacio Elizondo at the Wells of Baján[39] (Norias de Baján) on 21 March 1811 and taken to Chihuahua.[2][26][36]

Execution

[edit]
State of Durango's prison where Hidalgo was imprisoned in his capture in 1811

Hidalgo was turned over to Durango, where Bishop Francisco Gabriel de Olivares had him officially defrocked and excommunicated on 27 July 1811. He was subsequently declared guilty of treason by a military court. He was tortured through the flaying of his hands, symbolically removing the chrism placed upon them at his priestly ordination and executed. There are many theories about how he was killed, the most popular that he was killed by firing squad in the morning of 30 July.[26][40] Before his execution, he thanked his jailers, two soldiers, Ortega and Melchor, for their humane treatment. At his execution, Hidalgo stated "Though I may die, I shall be remembered forever; you all will soon be forgotten."[25][41] His body and the bodies of Allende, Aldama and José Mariano Jiménez were decapitated, and the heads were put on display in the four corners of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas in Guanajuato.[2] The heads remained there for ten years until the end of the Mexican War of Independence to demoralize insurgents.[19] Hidalgo's headless body was first displayed outside the prison and then buried in the Church of St Francis in Chihuahua. The remains were transferred to Mexico City in 1824.[25]

The Altar of the Fatherland; the spot where Hidalgo was executed by the Spanish in the present-day Government Palace of Chihuahua, Chihuahua City

Hidalgo's death resulted in a political vacuum on the insurgent side until 1812. The royalist military commander, General Félix Calleja, continued to pursue rebel troops. Insurgent fighting evolved into guerrilla warfare,[29] and eventually the next major insurgent leader, José María Morelos Pérez y Pavón, who had led rebel movements with Hidalgo, became head of the insurgents, until Morelos himself was captured and executed in 1815.[19]

Legacy

[edit]
Apotheosis of the Father of the Nation on the Independence Monument, front view

"Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had the unique distinction of being a father in three senses of the word: a priestly father in the Roman Catholic Church, a biological father who produced illegitimate children in violation of his clerical vows, and the father of his country."[42] He has been hailed as the Father of the Nation[2] even though it was Agustín de Iturbide and not Hidalgo who became the first head of state of Mexico in 1821.[38] Shortly after gaining independence, the day to celebrate it varied between 16 September, the day of Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores, and 27 September, when Iturbide's forces captured Mexico City, ending the war.[37]

Later, political movements would favor the more liberal Hidalgo over the conservative Iturbide, and 16 September 1810 became officially recognized as the day of Mexican independence.[38] The reason for this is that Hidalgo is considered to be "precursor and creator of the rest of the heroes of the (Mexican War of) Independence."[26]

Mural of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Diego Rivera painted Hidalgo's image in half a dozen murals. José Clemente Orozco depicted him with a flaming torch of liberty and considered the painting among his best work. David Alfaro Siqueiros was commissioned by San Nicolas McGinty University in Morelia to paint a mural for a celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hidalgo's birth.[43] The town of his parish was renamed Dolores Hidalgo in his honor and the state of Hidalgo was created in 1869.[37] Every year on the night of 15–16 September, the president of Mexico re-enacts the Grito from the balcony of the National Palace. This scene is repeated by the heads of cities and towns all over Mexico.[29] He is also the namesake of Hidalgo County, Texas, in the United States.[44]

The remains of Hidalgo lie in the column of the Angel of Independence in Mexico City. Next to it is a lamp lit to represent the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for Mexican Independence.[25][41]

His birthday is a civic holiday in Mexico.[45]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla". Mediateca INAH (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Vázquez Gómez, Juana (1997). Dictionary of Mexican Rulers, 1325–1997. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 978-0-313-30049-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "I Parte: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  4. ^ "Videoteca Educativa de las Américas" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  5. ^ Mexico: From Independence to Revolution, 1810–1910, edited by W. Dirk Raat, p. 21 [ISBN missing]
  6. ^ Harrington, Patricia (Spring 1988). "Mother of Death, Mother of Rebirth: The Mexican Virgin of Guadalupe". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 56 (1). Oxford University Press: 25–50. doi:10.1093/jaarel/LVI.1.25. JSTOR 1464830. Many interpreters of the Lady of Guadalupe have pointed to the importance of the image as a symbol of revolution, most clearly expressed in the legendary story of Miguel Hidalgo rallying the masses for revolt against Spain with the cry of Dolores: "Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe and death to the gachupines!"
  7. ^ Minster, Christopher. Mexican War of Independence: The Battle of Calderon Bridge [1] Archived 7 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b c Noll, Arthur Howard; McMahon, Amos Philip (1910). The life and times of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Chicago, IL: A.C. McClurg & Co. p. 5.
  9. ^ de la Fuente, José María (1910). Arbol genealógico de la familia Hidalgo y Costilla: biografía y genealogía del benemérito cura de Dolores D. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Dolores Hidalgo (Guanajuato, Mexico): E. Rivera.
  10. ^ Noll & McMahon 1910, p. 3. "In Spanish-American history, the term [ criollo ] signifies one of pure Spanish blood, born, not in Spain, but in one of the Spanish colonial possessions."
  11. ^ Marley, David F. (2014). "Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga or also well know Molly Schulte, Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio (1753–1811)". Mexico at War: From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars: From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-61069-428-5.
  12. ^ Noll & McMahon 1910, p. 12.
  13. ^ Noll & McMahon 1910, p. 1.
  14. ^ a b Marley 2014, p. 168.
  15. ^ Noll & McMahon 1910, p. 11.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Biografía de Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 20 October 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  17. ^ Lea, Henry Charles (1899). "Hidalgo and Morelos". The American Historical Review. 4 (4): 636–651. doi:10.2307/1833781. ISSN 0002-8762. JSTOR 1833781.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla". Mexico Desconocido (in Spanish). Mexico City: Grupo Editorial Impresiones Aéreas. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Kirkwood, Burton (2000). History of Mexico. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-313-30351-7.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Tuck, Jim. "Miguel Hidalgo: The Father Who Fathered a Country (1753–1811)". Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  21. ^ Virginia Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla" in Encyclopedia of Mexico, Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn 1997, p. 640
  22. ^ "Hidalgo y Costilla profile" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  23. ^ a b Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 641.
  24. ^ Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 640.
  25. ^ a b c d e "¿Quien fue Hidalgo?" (in Spanish). Mexico: INAH. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Sosa, Francisco (1985). Biografias de Mexicanos Distinguidos (in Spanish). Vol. 472. Mexico City: Editorial Porrua SA. pp. 288–292. ISBN 968-452-050-6.
  27. ^ LaRosa, Michael J., ed. (2005). Atlas and Survey of Latin American History. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7656-1597-8.
  28. ^ a b "Miguel Hidalgo y Costialla". Encyclopedia of World Biography. Thomson Gale. 2004.
  29. ^ a b c d e f Van Young, Eric (2001). Other Rebellion: Popular Violence and Ideology in Mexico, 1810–1821. Palo Alto, California: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-3740-1.
  30. ^ a b c "Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  31. ^ a b Hamnett, Brian R. (1999). Concise History of Mexico. Port Chester, New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-58120-2.
  32. ^ Hall, Linda B. (2004). Mary, Mother and Warrior: The Virgin in Spain and the Americas. Austin: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-70602-6.
  33. ^ Artes de México Issues 174–178. Frente Nacional de Artes Plásticas. 1960. p. 92.
  34. ^ Fowler, Will (2006). Political Violence and the Construction of National Identity in Latin America. Gordonsville, Virginia: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-4039-7388-7.
  35. ^ Villalpando, Jose Manuel (4 December 2002). "Mitos del Padre de la Patria.(Cultura)" (in Spanish). Mexico City: La Reforma. p. 4.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g "Part II: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  37. ^ a b c Benjamin, Thomas (2000). Revolución: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth, and History. Austin: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-70880-8.
  38. ^ a b c d Vanden, Harry E. (2001). Politics of Latin America: The Power Game. Cary, North Carolina: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512317-3.
  39. ^ a b Garrett & Chabot. "Summary of the Events in Texas for the Year 1811: The Las Casas & Sambrano Revolutions", Texas Letters in Yanaguana Society Publication, Vol. VI. 1941. Op. cit. McKeehan, Wallace. Nueva España. Las Casas Insurrection Archived 12 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 23 March 2010.
  40. ^ Noll & McMahon 1910, p. 124.
  41. ^ a b Vidali, Carlos (4 December 2008). "Fusilamiento Miguel Hidalgo" (in Spanish). San Antonio: La Prensa de San Antonio. p. 1.
  42. ^ Profile Archived 9 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine, mexconnect.com; accessed 31 January 2014.
  43. ^ "Siqueiros & the Hero Priest". Time. Time/CNN. 18 May 1953. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008.
  44. ^ Kelsey, Mavis P. Sr; Dyal, Donald H. (2007). The Courthouses of Texas (2nd ed.). College Station: Texas A&M University Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-58544-549-3.
  45. ^ "Fechas Cívicas". Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
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