What event caused people in Mexico to begin to think about independence?

Answer 1

Father Miguel Hidalgo began the war of Independence from Spain. On September 16, 1810, he issued his "Cry of Delores" in which he encouraged Mexicans to rise up and overthrow the Spanish rule.

Answer 2

The Spanish rulers of Mexico and the Spanish areas of South America mistreated the local population with high taxes and other forms of brutality. In 1810, Napoleon, the Emperor of France, invaded Spain. The king of Spain called most of his army back to Spain to fight Napoleon's Army. That meant the Spanish army could no longer crush the local population. At that point Padre Hidalgo rang the church bell calling for a rebellion against the Spanish.

The local population was able to defeat the smaller Spanish army. When the war was over, the regular Spanish army returned. While they were gone, the Mexicans had created their own army. They were no longer the weak force they had been before 1810. When the Spanish defeated them, they became a guerrilla force. The Spanish General, Iturbide, made a deal with them. He would become the President and they would end their war.

Answer 3

The Peninsular Wars (1807 - 1814) when France invaded Spain.