STATION 1
El Día De Independencia para México
El Gritoevery 16thof September is the Mexican Fiesta. On this day Mexicans all over the world celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule.
Indigenous or native peoples were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico. They created great civilizations such as the most powerful of all, theAztecEmpire.
After Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, the Spaniards carried out expeditions to find gold and riches from these faraway lands.In 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, lead byHernán Cortés.At this time, the Aztecs had built a great empire that ruled over allMesoamérica, Mexico and the Central American countries between Mexico and South America. The Spaniards decided to direct their attacks towards them.
The indigenous nations that were under theAztecrule were tired of the physical and economic hardships imposed upon them by this empire.This circumstance made them think that by helping the Conquerors defeat theAztecs, they would be better off.So they decided to aid the Spaniards.
This is how the Conquest of what is now Mexico began.
1. Why did the indigenous Mexicans decide to help the European Spaniards?
2. From memory, can you name a different group of people who have been mistreated by another group of people at any point during world history? Explain your answer.
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STATION 2
El Día De Independencia para México
On the 13thof August 1521,Cuauhtémoc, the lastAztecemperor was captured. The indigenous allies of the Spaniards raidedthe capital of theAztecempire.
They didn’t know it at the time, but they had been liberated from one oppressor and fallen in the hands of a much more powerful one.
This was the beginning of three centuries of Spanish rule. The new colony (now know as Mexico) was named Nueva España,New Spain.
The years that followed were devastating. The conquerors brought with them diseases unknown to the natives. The heavy workload imposed upon the natives dramatically diminished the Indian population.There were approximately 20 million Indians inhabiting this territory before the Conquest, and after just one century of Spanish rule there were only 1 million left!
Colonial society was highly stratified. Spaniards born in Spain, occupied the higher echelons, followed byCriollos, those born in Mexico from Spanish parents;Mestizos, the mixed- blood offspring of Spaniards and Natives;Indios, Native Indians;Negros, African slaves.
Each group had different rights and duties. The privileged were the peninsular Spaniards.Discontent steadily grew, especially amongst theCriollos, who were always treated as second-class subjects of the Spanish Crown. It is no surprise then, thatCriolloswere the spark that ignited the Independence movement.
3.Define “stratified” in your own words based on paragraphs 5-6.
4. A stratified society has some people at the top, some at the bottom and several in the middle. Does the U.S. have a stratified society? Explain your answer.
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STATION 3
El Día De Independencia para México
In1808, Napoleon invaded Spain, and decided to impose his brotherJosé Bonaparte, as king of Spain (1808-1810).TheCriollosfound in this circumstance the opportunity to seek their independence from Spain.
It was 1810, and their plan was to start the war on the 2ndof October.Unfortunately, their plans were discovered in early September. The movement was in trouble. They had two alternatives; either abandon their plans, or move faster and start the revolt immediately.Fortunately for Mexico they decided upon the second alternative.
In the early hours of September 16, 1810, FatherHidalgo, accompanied by several helpers, including Iganacio Allende and Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty.This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years.
And this is the moment that every 16thof September is re-enacted in every plazaof Mexico and commemorated by Mexicans all over the world.
5. Why was the beginning of the war moved from October 2nd to September 16th?
6. Based on what you already know, what are three similarities and two differences between the beginning of the Mexican War for independence and the American one?
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STATION 4
El Día De Independencia para México
Flags wave from practically every house and building. Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of theZócalo, the main plaza,in Mexico City, the capitol. This main plaza of every town and city is the place where the great16 De Septiembre celebrationstake place.
During the evening of September 15, people start gathering in theplaza. Many people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress or in the colors of the flag.
As the evening advances, the plaza gradually fills with people. At 11:00 P.M. a government official arrives to give theGritoor cry of Independence.In the capitol, the president does this. This ritual recreates the moment in which FatherHidalgo gathered his followers inthe city of Dolores Guanajuato.
The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of our Independence, to end with the excitingVIVA MÉXICO!
When theGritoceremony ends, the sky lights up with fireworks that shower the people’s hearts with the pride of knowing that Mexico is a free and independent nation.
7. What are three similarities between how Mexican Independence Day and American Independence Day are celebrated. What are two differences?
8. Mexicans feel proud when they celebrate their country’s independence. How do you feel when you celebrate American independence? Explain why you feel that way.
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- Capital ______
- Currency ______
- Exports ______
- Liberator ______
- Independence Date ______
- One interesting fact ______
- Capital ______
- Currency ______
- Exports ______
- Liberator ______
- Independence Date ______
- One interesting fact ______
Hernán Cortés
Cuauhtémoc
José Bonaparte
Padre Miguel Hidalgo