Congress of Chilpancingo facts for kids
The Congress of Chilpancingo (also known as the Congress of Anáhuac) was a very important meeting in Mexico's history. It was the first independent government body that officially declared Mexico free from Spanish rule. This meeting happened in a place called Chilpancingo, which is now in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It took place from September to November in 1813. During this time, the first national constitution for Mexico was created and approved. The Congress was made up of leaders from different areas that were under their control. They discussed and created a plan for how the new country would be run. This plan was written in a document called Sentimientos de la Nación (Feelings of the Nation). This document showed the strong desire for Mexico to be its own nation, separate from Spain.
Contents
From Assembly to Congress
After Miguel Hidalgo was captured, Ignacio López Rayón took over his forces. He traveled south to Zitácuaro and met with José María Morelos. Together, they set up the Assembly of Zitácuaro, with López Rayón as its president. However, this assembly faced challenges and lost the battle of Zitácuaro. Because of these difficulties, a new and stronger government was needed. This led to the creation of the Congress of Chilpancingo.
Big Decisions for a New Nation
On September 13, 1813, with Morelos present, the Congress made several huge decisions:
- They officially declared Mexico's declaration of independence from Spain. This meant Mexico was now its own country.
- They established the Catholic religion as the official religion.
- They started drafting a Constitution. This important document would set up the three main parts of government: the legislative (which makes laws), the executive (which carries out laws), and the judicial (which interprets laws).
The Congress also made other important changes:
- They respected people's private property but took goods from Spaniards.
- They ended slavery.
- They removed all class and racial differences. Everyone born in Mexico was now called "American."
- They stopped torture, monopolies (when one company controls everything), and the system of tributes (forced payments).
Morelos was offered the high title of Generalissimo and was asked to be called "Your Highness." But he humbly refused these titles. Instead, he asked to be called Siervo de la Nación, which means "Servant of the Nation."
The Constitution of Apatzingán
After some military setbacks, the Congress met again in a place called Apatzingán. On October 22, they officially announced the Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana (Constitutional Decree for the Liberty of Mexican America). This document became known as the Constitution of Apatzingán.
This new constitution created a government where the legislative branch (the law-making part) was very powerful. The executive branch (the part that carries out laws) was not as strong. This was different from what Morelos had wanted. However, he agreed that it was the best they could achieve at the time.
Declaring Independence
On November 6, the members of the Congress signed the first official document that declared New Spain (Mexico) completely separate from Spanish rule. This historic document was named the Acta Solemne de la Declaración de Independencia de la América Septentrional (Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America). It was a major step towards Mexico becoming a truly independent nation.
See also
In Spanish: Congreso de Anáhuac para niños
- Creole nationalism
- History of democracy in Mexico
- Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America
- Mexican War of Independence
- Constitution of Apatzingán
- Sentimientos de la Nación
- New Spain
