For the next three hundred years Spain governed New Spain with a succession of some sixty viceroys, the last of whom fled in 1821 when Mexico finally realized its independence.
During the Colonial Period, as it is called, there was much bitterness. The Spaniards exploited Mexico, discovered a fabulous wealth of silver and gold in the mountains, and made vast fortunes. Most of the money went to Spain, but the part that remained built great churches, beautiful colonial cities and palaces.
Mexico City became known as a city of palaces. Sad to say, the conquered Indian fared less well and lived in virtual slavery.
The Mestizos, descendants of Spanish fathers and Mexican mothers, and Creoles, Spaniards born in the new land, were the people who did the work in those days--farmers, the shopkeepers and the craftsmen--but they were a people without rights.
Revolutionary ideas began to spread until, finally, the ideas burst into action. A Mexican priest from Guanajuato, Miguel Hidalgo, was the first leader of the movement to over-throw Spanish rule. On September 15, 1810, he issued his famous call for insurrection, El Grito de Dolores, which became a rallying cry.
Hidalgo was caught and executed, and another priest, Jose Maria Morelos, assumed leadership, gaining some victories before he too, was killed. Six years later, in 1821, General Iturbide arrived in Mexico City heading an army of patriots and had himself crowned emperor, adopting the title of Agustin I.
His empire, however, lasted but a few months and in December, 1822, the Mexican Republic was proclaimed by General Santa Anna. The emperor was captured and shot. A constitution was adopted and the Republic of Mexico was officially recognized by the United States and England in 1825.
