<P> While stationed in the town of Iguala, Iturbide proclaimed three principles, or "guarantees," for Mexican independence from Spain . Mexico would be an independent monarchy governed by King Ferdinand, another Bourbon prince, or some other conservative European prince; criollos would be given equal rights and privileges to peninsulares; and the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico would retain its privileges and position as the established religion of the land . After convincing his troops to accept the principles, which were promulgated on February 24, 1821 as the Plan of Iguala, Iturbide persuaded Guerrero to join his forces in support of this conservative independence movement . A new army, the Army of the Three Guarantees, was placed under Iturbide's command to enforce the Plan of Iguala . The plan was so broadly based that it pleased both patriots and loyalists . The goal of independence and the protection of Roman Catholicism brought together all factions . </P> <P> Iturbide's army was joined by rebel forces from all over Mexico . When the rebels' victory became certain, the Viceroy resigned . On August 24, 1821, representatives of the Spanish crown and Iturbide signed the Treaty of Córdoba, which recognized Mexican independence under the Plan of Iguala . </P> <P> On September 27, 1821 the Army of the Three Guarantees entered Mexico City, and the following day Iturbide proclaimed the independence of the Mexican Empire, as New Spain was henceforth to be called . The Treaty of Córdoba was not ratified by the Spanish Cortes . Iturbide included a special clause in the treaty that left open the possibility for a criollo monarch to be appointed by a Mexican congress if no suitable member of the European royalty would accept the Mexican crown . Half of the new government employees appointed were Iturbide's followers . </P> <P> On the night of the May 18, 1822, a mass demonstration led by the Regiment of Celaya, which Iturbide had commanded during the war, marched through the streets and demanded their commander - in - chief to accept the throne . The following day, the Congress declared Iturbide Emperor of Mexico . On October 31, 1822 Iturbide dissolved Congress and replaced it with a sympathetic junta . </P>

Where did mexico win its independence from spain