Why did Mexico seek independence from Spain?

Mexico’s path to independence was driven by a complex interplay of long-standing colonial tensions and sudden political crises in Europe.

Causes of Independence

• Bourbon Reforms: In the 18th century, the Spanish Bourbon kings implemented administrative and economic reforms that favored peninsular Spaniards over Creoles (American-born Spaniards). This alienated the local elite, who felt their wealth, political power, and social status were under attack.123
• Enlightenment Ideals: Ideas regarding rationalism and liberalism fostered a questioning attitude toward traditional authority and the divine right of kings, influencing educated elites.12
• Napoleonic Crisis: The decisive catalyst was Napoleon I’s 1808 invasion of Spain and the imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII. This created a power vacuum and a crisis of legitimacy that triggered both popular uprisings and conservative movements for self-governance.142

The Shift to Independence

While early movements led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and José María Morelos y Pavón were populist and social in nature, final independence was achieved through a conservative initiative. In 1820, when Spain reinstated a liberal constitution, Mexican elites feared for their privileges and the status of the Roman Catholic Church. Led by Agustín de Iturbide, they secured independence in 1821 to preserve their traditional order.14