In Mexico, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla leads a grass roots movement for independence from Spain. He and his followers set up a government and take several cities, but are defeated by the royalists in Mexico City. Hidalgo is executed, but the Spanish hold on Mexico is weakened. With the insurrection of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla, the Spaniards withdraw their troops from the frontier presidios. An insurrection breaks out in Texas, fighting against Spanish control.
Royalists crush the rebellion.
A constitution is drafted and proclaimed in 1814, but royalists again defeat the new government. Jos Mat as Delgado, a priest, gives the first call for Central American independence from Spain in San Salvador. Proclaiming the birth of the Republic of Gran Colombia, which included present-day Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia, Bol var becomes president. Andrew Jackson leads a U.S. military force into Florida, capturing two Spanish forts. 1820 Anglo-American frontiersman Stephen Long leads a revolt against the Spanish in Texas, but because of his ties to the United States, his rebellion threatens to open Texas to American control.