Zitacuaro Council facts for kids
The Zitacuaro Council (in Spanish: Junta de Zitácuaro) was an important group created during the Mexican War of Independence. It was also known as the Supreme National American Meeting. This council was like a first government for the people fighting for Mexico's freedom from Spain.
It was started by two main leaders, Ignacio López Rayón and José María Morelos. Other members included José María Liceaga and José Sixto Verduzco. The council began on August 19, 1811.
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Who Started the Council?
Ignacio López Rayón
Ignacio López Rayón was a key leader in the fight for independence. He was part of Miguel Hidalgo's army, which started the war. After a big defeat in the Battle of Calderon Bridge, Hidalgo's forces were weakened. They tried to go north to get help from the United States.
However, López Rayón stayed behind in Saltillo with his soldiers and cannons. He soon learned that Hidalgo and other leaders had been captured. So, he decided to move south on March 26, 1811. He fought many battles on his way. Finally, he reached Zitacuaro, which is in present-day Michoacan.
José María Morelos
José María Morelos was a student of Miguel Hidalgo. He met Hidalgo in Valladolid (now Morelia). Morelos wanted to join Hidalgo's army. But Hidalgo had a different idea for him. He asked Morelos to create another army in the south. His mission was to capture Acapulco. This port city was very important. Spanish ships from the Philippines would bring goods there.
Morelos started his first military campaign in the southern areas. These areas are now part of Guerrero. After his campaign, Ignacio López Rayón invited him to help organize a new group. The first leaders had been captured and killed. So, the independence fighters needed a new main leader. Morelos accepted the invitation on July 13, 1811. He sent José Sixto Verduzco to represent him because he was busy fighting.
What Did the Council Do?
As the president of the council, López Rayón was called the "Universal Minister of the Nation." He was the only person to ever hold this title. He helped create a newspaper called El Ilustrador Nacional. Andrés Quintana Roo and José María Cos wrote for it. The newspaper helped share the ideas of the independence movement. Rayón tried to get all the different army leaders to follow the council's rules. He also made local governors and mayors swear loyalty to the council.
During its time, the Zitacuaro Council achieved several important things:
- They wrote the first draft of a national constitution. It was called the Constitutional Elements.
- They made the first Mexican coins.
- They tried to get other countries to recognize Mexico's independence. They sent an ambassador, Francisco Antonio de Peredo y Pereyra, to the United States.
The Spanish government noticed the council. General Felix Maria Calleja announced that he did not recognize the council. He threatened to attack Zitacuaro. He also offered a reward of ten thousand pesos for Rayón's capture. When these threats did not work, the royalists tried to have Rayón killed. But the assassin was caught and executed.
General Calleja attacked Zitacuaro in January 1812. The independence forces and the council had to leave Zitacuaro on January 11, 1812. The council then moved to other cities controlled by the rebels. These included Tuzantla, Tlalchapa, and Sultepec.
The Zitacuaro Council was the first government body for areas free from Spanish rule. However, it struggled to control things effectively. It was supposed to appoint local leaders. But military leaders often took charge instead. They sometimes pursued their own goals. The council also faced military losses under López Rayón. Because of these problems, a new government body was formed. It was called the Congress of Chilpancingo.
See also
In Spanish: Junta de Zitácuaro para niños
- Constitutional Elements
