Diary of a Mexican Female Rebel

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Dear Diary, July 18th, 1810 It’s the year 1810, and we’re in the time of crisis. Napoleon, the French leader, has replaced the Spanish ruler, Ferdinand VII with his own brother, Joseph Bonaparte. I’m tired of Spain ruling over Mexico. Mexicans have been suppressed since 1519 when Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztecs and claimed Mexico for Spain. Then the King of Spain has granted land to the conquistadors. Even I know that this was not right. This was the land of my forefathers who were forced to be slaves for the Spanish and work on the land. While my people died in mines getting gold and silver, Spain became richer! If it was not for Bartolome de las Casas convincing the King to end slavery, then our situation would be worse than it is now! Nevertheless, the Church has become very wealthy and controls two thirds of the money in Mexico. Father Hidalgo understands these injustices and wants it to end! The Peninsulares or Guachapins are considered upper class. Although they are the least populous. In fact, there are ten Creoles, Mexican born people, to one Penisulare or Guachapins. The Peninsulares and the upper class Creoles are the wealthiest, but only the Penisulares have special roles in the government. The Peninsulares and the Creoles do not want the Mestizos, people who are half Spanish and half Indian, involved in government. Therefore the Mestizos have little chance for education and remain in poverty. I think it is time for change in Mexico. Father Hidalgo has read about the revolutions in America and France. Other Mestizo priests and lawyers have been reading about freedom and democracy. They even read the Declaration of Independence. These lawyers and priests hope that there can be equality in Mexico and I believe the same! Other call for revolution so Mestizos can have as much power and the Spainards while others want prosperity. I believe that revolution will achieve all these goals!

Dear Diary, July 30, 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, along with other Creoles, are plotting against Spain because Creoles are not allowed government positions because there is a policy saying that only officials sent from Spain were to rule the colonies. It’s not fair! My husband, who has been loyal and obeyed the officials here in Mexico, deserves to be a part of the government, but has been turned away. Hidalgo is rallying for more people to join his plot, and we intend to fight with him. Despite the consequences of failure in this rebellion, it is necessary for freedom from Spain and equality among all social ranks. If the United States was able to break away from Great Britain, we can do the same from Spain. Also, we cannot be ruled by the French and some of their anti-Catholic policies. We must fight for independence in the name of Kind Ferdinand VII. With Spain having so many problems with Napoleon it is time for Mexico to have a local government to do what is right for the people. As Hidalgo declares, Long live independence and death to the Spaniards! -Luisa

Dear Diary, September 5th, 1810 Out of all the outcomes, I did not think that someone, our own member, would betray all of us and tell a Spanish official our plans to rebel. Who would do such a thing? He is marked as a traitor, and I fear that my hopes and expectations from our conspiracy have now been shattered. I had wished that my husband would be able to achieve a political career and to make more money than we are now. Since the highest class are native Spaniards, it makes sense that they are earning the most money. If Mexico could gain independence, everyone would be treated equally, and we wouldn’t have to deal with this unjust rule. Or, if more of the middle class were established roles in the government, there wouldn’t be the problem of inequality and we could have more representation. That’s what I hate about this so called government. The middle class has no say in the laws made for and about us, which is similar to taxation without representation. Who made that policy saying only Spanish officials can run the government? How is it that someone, who doesn’t even live in this country, rule over us? It makes no sense, and quite honestly I will not stand for it! This small obstacle will not stop us, and I’m certain that Hidalgo, and his coconspirator, Ignacio Allende, will come up with something to continue this act of independence. - Luisa

Dear Diary, November 20th, 1810 Lately, I’ve been thinking what aspects of my life I would like to see change from the revolt. I do know that I’d like to see my husband have an important position in the government, so that there is someone who embodies the larger group of people, not the rich. I, also, want equality in the social hierarchy because I don’t believe there is a certain body of people who are superior to others. Not only that, the wealthy has privileges that we do not have, which is not fair. The upper class already has certain advantages over us because they have more money, and these privileges, especially in the government, puts them on a higher pedestal. I want to live in an environment where people are not looked down upon based on their social status. Moreover, I want to see Ferdinand VII back in throne. Napoleon gave power over Spain to his own brother, Joseph Bonaparte. How do we even know if Joseph has the experience to control a country, or if he’ll rule with just or tyranny? Furthermore, I know what I'd like to see change in my life, but I've always been wondering about Hidalgo. He seems like such a strong leader, and I wonder why he wanted to initiate this independence movement. There's a lot of gossip going around about him, and i can't tell which one is true and which one is false. I've heard that his family's money was taken away by the government, and that they're in near shambles. I can understand why Hidalgo would seek liberty from Spain, but then I've heard that his brother was driven insane. That's one rumor that I question, but maybe all of those led him to start the revolt. Whichever it is, I'm grateful for his audacity and I hope this rebellion continues the way it has been the past few months. -Luisa

Dear Diary,                                                                                                                                                                                                   January 31st, 1811 Today, January 31st, is a sad day. Just two weeks ago, Hidalgo’s forces were defeated at the bridge of Calderon. I think our troops were too unorganized and not trained well to withstand the prepared and adroit soldiers of the government. Not only that, there were several people who did not join in on our cry for freedom. Our army was pressuring the residents of Mexico City, however the peasants had the nerve to refuse to unite with us. When I heard that, I thought it was ridiculous. This revolt is for them and the rest of the people who aren’t upper class. We’re trying to help the population, not destroy it. Moving on, it’s a miserable day because our own Hidalgo was executed today. At that battle where we were defeated, he was captured and then tried by the Inquisition. Who will be our leader in our time of need? Who will settle this chaos that is forming now that our father of independence, along with Allende, has been brutally put to death? I fear the outcome of this insurgence, and I can only hope someone will take a stand. -Luisa

Dear Diary, January 1st, 1816 I have not written in awhile, but I have SO much to say. Eight years have passed and a lot has happened. Jose Maria Morelos, another priest, sustained this upheaval in 1812. Since I was so satisfied with Hidalgo, who was a priest, I thought that Morelos would carry out the deed as well as he did. In fact, on November 6th, 1813, Morelos was named executive chief and a congress declared independence. On that day, my family had a large feast, considering the circumstances, and we celebrated ‘till dawn. Then the social hierarchy and slaves were eliminated in the constitution of Apatzingan on October 22nd, 1814. However, a Creole under the Spaniards, Agustin de Iturbide, compelled our leader to draw back. And the inevitable happened. Just like Hidalgo, he was captured and executed on December 22, 1815, and the revolutionary congress was broken up. By then, I lost almost all my hope for freedom. For awhile, guerilla warfare was going on, directed by Vicente Guerrero, which caused a lot of fear among local cities. But, the viceroy Juan Ruiz de Apodaca was able to make those guerilla leaders surrender, except for some others who continued the fighting. I feel as if there’s so much disorder going on, and I don’t know what will happen if the government can finally settle everything. I’m worried for my future, and the future of my children. God help us. - Luisa

Dear Diary,                                                                                                                                                                                                           August 2nd, 1822 WE ARE FREE! After ten years of this madness, we have finally achieved what we wanted. The liberal revolution in Spain in 1820 caused certain Creoles and Spaniards to secede from Spain. Surprisingly, Iturbide, the same man who was originally against the revolt, became the leader of those who left. Then in February 24th, 1820, the Plan de Iguala announced the Independence of Mexico, and that Mexico would be a constitutional monarchy under Ferdinand VII. What’s even better is that the Creoles and Peninsulares are pronounced as equals, just like I wished for. After the viceroy Apodaca was sent away, a new one accepted the plan of Iguala by the Convention of Cordoba. Then, a constituent assembly was summoned, and the Spanish government declined to recognize the Convention of Cordoba. I’m not exactly sure if I particularly like Iturbide considering he was responsible for the death of our other leader, Morelos. However, Iturbide persuaded his army to pressure the congress to make him emperor and he was named Agustin I on July 25th 1822. Hopefully, under his rule, Mexico will flourish and we’ll live the way we want to. As a result, although there are several negative outcomes of failure in the revolution, we had to follow through with it for our own freedom and equality. We went through many leaders who strove for liberty and guided us well onto the right track. There were obstacles that hindered our ultimate wish in this upheaval, but through our dedication and determination, we were able to gain most of what we originally sought out. I trust future leaders to rule with just and fairness so that there is no rebellion like this one, and that Mexico prospers the way so many other countries have. - Luisa

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