Revolutions Podcast by Mike Duncan - S9: The Mexican Revolution - Episode 2

Summary

The video script narrates the tumultuous journey of Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain, a saga that spanned over a decade and was marked by significant social and political upheavals. It begins with the discontent among various classes in New Spain, leading to the famous 'Grito de Dolores' by Miguel Hidalgo, a cry for revolution that ignited a mass uprising. Despite initial successes, internal conflicts and lack of military experience led to Hidalgo's capture and execution. However, the fight for independence was carried forward by leaders like Jose Maria Morelos and Vicente Guerrero, who continued the rebellion against the odds. The narrative then shifts to the pivotal 'Plan de Iguala', a political agreement that united royalists and rebels under the leadership of Augustin de Iturbide and Guerrero, leading to a unified push for independence. The video concludes with the triumphant entry of the Patriot army into Mexico City and the Declaration of Independence of the Empire of Mexico in 1821, setting the stage for the next chapter of Mexican history filled with internal power struggles and foreign interventions.

Takeaways

• 🧳 The Away carry-on was created by two friends from New York who were inspired by the need for luggage with power, addressing common travel inconveniences like dead phones and sticky wheels.
• 📱 Away luggage features a patent-pending compression system and 360° spinner wheels, as well as the ability to charge devices via USB, offering up to five iPhone charges per single charge of the carry-on.
• 💸 Away offers high-quality materials at a lower price by cutting out the middleman and selling directly to customers, with a wide range of sizes and colors to choose from.
• 🛡️ The suitcases are made with premium German polycarbonate, known for its strength, impact resistance, and lightweight design.
• 📱 Away provides a 100-day free trial, allowing customers to live with and travel with the product before deciding if it's right for them, with a full refund offered if it's not.
• 🔄 Away also offers a lifetime warranty, promising to fix or replace the product for life if anything breaks.
• 🎉 The speaker mentions a future event, a mini book tour for the paperback release of 'The Storm Before the Storm' in October 2018, hinting at using the Away travel bag during this time.
• 💲 Listeners can get a $20 discount on an Away suitcase by visiting Away travel.com/revolutions and using the promo code 'revolutions' at checkout.
• 🎙️ The script transitions from a commercial for Away travel to the main topic of the episode, which is the history of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and the events leading to the Mexican War of Independence.
• ⚔️ The revolution in New Spain was triggered by widespread discontent among various social classes and a series of economic and political factors, including the impact of the Napoleonic Wars and the influence of Enlightenment ideas.
• 🗣️ Miguel Hidalgo, a key figure in the Mexican War of Independence, was a priest with radical political and religious beliefs who called for a mass popular revolt in his famous 'Grito de Dolores' speech.

Q & A

What was the Away carry-on designed to solve?

The Away carry-on was designed to solve problems such as sticky wheels, dead cell phones, and to provide luggage with power sources for charging devices.

What is the significance of the 'Cry of Dolores' in Mexican history?

The 'Cry of Dolores' is a famous speech by Miguel Hidalgo, which marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish rule.

Why did the economic boom in the Bahia region lead to social unrest?

The economic boom in the Bahia region led to social unrest due to recurrent droughts, famine, and a decline in the mining economy, which resulted in wage cuts, reduced hours, and mass layoffs.

What was the role of Miguel Hidalgo in the early stages of the Mexican War of Independence?

Miguel Hidalgo played a pivotal role as a leader of the early stages of the Mexican War of Independence, rallying the people through his impassioned speech, the 'Cry of Dolores,' and leading the initial revolt against Spanish rule.

How did the events in Spain impact the Viceroyalty of New Spain?

The events in Spain, particularly the abdications of the Bourbon monarchy and the ensuing chaos, led to a movement in New Spain to create provisional ruling juntas composed of local notables, which eventually contributed to the push for independence.

What was the Plan of Iguala and why was it significant?

The Plan of Iguala was a political agreement that established the three guarantees of the Mexican independence movement: the supremacy of the Catholic Church, absolute independence from Spain, and social equality with the abolition of the caste system. It was significant because it united various factions, including conservatives and liberals, under a common goal of independence.

Who were the main leaders of the Mexican War of Independence?

The main leaders of the Mexican War of Independence included Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, Jose Maria Morelos, Vicente Guerrero, and later, Agustín de Iturbide.

What was the impact of the mutiny of Cadiz on the Mexican War of Independence?

The mutiny of Cadiz led to a shift in support for the independence movement in Mexico. The event forced King Ferdinand to adopt the liberal constitution of 1812, which in turn led to conservative Criollos and even some Peninsulars in Mexico to support independence to protect their interests against potential liberal reforms from Spain.

Why did the conservative leadership of New Spain initially oppose the independence movement?

The conservative leadership of New Spain initially opposed the independence movement because they feared that the liberal leadership in Spain would undermine the authority of the church, their traditional systems of power, and disrupt the social hierarchy and private property rights.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Córdoba in the context of the Mexican War of Independence?

The Treaty of Córdoba was significant as it recognized the framework of the Plan of Iguala and promised no resistance when the Army of the Three Guarantees approached Mexico City, effectively paving the way for the formal declaration of independence of the Empire of Mexico.

How did the death of José María Morelos affect the independence movement?

The death of José María Morelos was a major blow to the independence movement as he was a key leader and a symbol of resistance against Spanish rule. However, his death also led to the rise of Vicente Guerrero, who took over as commander-in-chief of the rebel forces and continued the fight for independence.