<P> Inspired by the American and French Revolutions, Mexican insurgents saw an opportunity in 1808 as the king abdicated in Madrid and Spain was overwhelmed by war and occupation . The rebellion began as an idealistic peasants' and miners' movement led by a local priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla who issued "The Cry of Dolores" on 16 September 1810; the day is celebrated as Independence Day . Shouting "Independence and death to the Spaniards!" they marched on the capital with a very large, poorly organized army . It was routed by the Spanish and Hidalgo was executed . </P> <P> Another priest, Jose Maria Morelos took over and was more successful in his quest for republicanism and independence . Spain's monarchy was restored in 1814 after Napoleon's defeat, and it fought back and executed Morelos in 1815 . The scattered insurgents formed guerrilla bands . In 1820, creoles, led by Agustín de Iturbide, joined the rebellion . The rebels formulated the "Plan of Iguala", demanding an independent constitutional monarchy, a religious monopoly for the Catholic Church, and equality for Spaniards and creoles . On September 27, 1821, Iturbide and the viceroy signed the Treaty of Cordoba whereby Spain granted the demands and withdrew . </P> <P> After independence, Mexican politics was chaotic . The presidency changed hands 75 times in the next 55 years (1821--76). </P> <P> The Spanish attempts to reconquer Mexico comprised episodes of war between Spain and the newly born Mexican nation . The designation mainly covers two periods: from 1821 to 1825 in Mexico's waters, and a second period of two stages, including a Mexican plan to take the Spanish - held island of Cuba between 1826 and 1828, and the 1829 landing of Spanish General Isidro Barradas in Mexico to reconquer the territory . Although Spain never regained control of the country, it damaged the fledgling economy . </P>

A colony was formed in the region where aztecs had been defeated