Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America facts for kids
The Solemn Act of Northern America's Declaration of Independence (Spanish: Acta Solemne de la Declaración de Independencia de la América Septentrional) is a very important historical paper from Mexico. It was the first official document that said Mexico was breaking away from Spanish rule.
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This document was signed on November 6, 1813. It was signed by people called "deputies" from the Congress of Anáhuac. This group was put together by General José María Morelos in the city of Oaxaca in June 1813. Later, the Congress met in the city of Chilpancingo starting September 13.
The ideas in this document came from another important paper called "Feelings of the Nation" (Sentimientos de la Nación). This was a speech that Morelos gave to representatives from the free areas of southern New Spain on September 14.
Why Mexico Declared Independence
The document explained that Spain was having big problems in Europe. The French army, led by Napoleon, had taken over Spain in what was called the Peninsular War. Because of this, the king of Spain, Ferdinand, was removed from power in 1808.
This situation meant that the Spanish colonies in America, like Mexico, could take back their own power. The document said that any connection between the colonies and Spain was now broken. Other countries in Spanish America, like Venezuela in 1811 and Argentina in 1816, also declared their independence for similar reasons.
What the Act Created
The new country would take the place of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It would keep all the land that New Spain had in North America. The Solemn Act also said that the Roman Catholic religion would be the only official religion of the new nation. It also set rules for people who might go against the fight for independence or not help financially.
Who Signed the Act
Here are some of the important people who signed this historic document:
- Andrés Quintana Roo
- Ignacio López Rayón
- Carlos María Bustamante
- José Manuel de Herrera
- José Sixto Verduzco
- José María Liceaga
- Cornelio Ortiz de Zárate
See also
In Spanish: Acta Solemne de la Declaración de Independencia de la América Septentrional para niños
- Congress of Chilpancingo
- Sentimientos de la Nación
- Constitution of Apatzingán
- Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire
- History of democracy in Mexico
