Morelos Y Pavon, Jose Maria

Morelos Y Pavón, José María 

Born Sept. 30, 1765, in Valladolid (present-day Morelia); died Dec. 22, 1815, in Mexico City. Leader of the Mexican people’s struggle against the Spanish colonialists from 1811 to 1815 and a national hero.

After graduating from a seminary, Morelos taught at an elementary school, later becoming a village priest. When a popular uprising broke out in Mexico in 1810, he joined Hidalgo’s insurgent detachments. After the latter’s death in 1811, Morelos led the fight for independence, winning a number of victories over the Spanish in 1812–13. He sought not only to liberate Mexico from colonial oppression but also to carry out socioeconomic and political reforms.

At the national congress assembled at his request in September 1813 in Chilpancingo, Morelos presented a programmatic document entitled “The Feelings of the Nation,” calling for independence, popular sovereignty, and the abolition of slavery. The congress appointed Morelos generalissimo and entrusted him with the functions of chief executive. It also adopted a declaration of independence and decrees aimed at eliminating feudal exploitation and racial discrimination. By the end of 1815, however, the main forces of the insurgents were defeated, and Morelos was taken prisoner and executed.

REFERENCES

Al’perovich, M. S. Voina za nezavisimost’ Meksiki (1810–1824). Moscow, 1964.
Teja Zabre, A. Vida de Morelos. Mexico City, 1959.
Timmons, W. H. Morelos. El Paso, 1963.