José María Morelos Timeline

(1765–1815)

José María Morelos was a Mexican priest, military commander, and revolutionary leader who guided the independence movement after Miguel Hidalgo's death. More Less

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Early life and ministry

Birth of José María Morelos

Sep 30, 1765

José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón was born in Valladolid, Michoacán. He later became a Catholic priest, statesman, and military leader of the Mexican independence movement.

Image source: José María Morelos

Enrollment at Colegio de San Nicolás

1789

In 1789, Morelos enrolled at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid, where Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla served as rector. The institution provided important intellectual and religious training.

Appointment as priest of Carácuaro

1799

Morelos was appointed priest of Carácuaro in 1799. He served as a parish priest before joining the armed movement for Mexican independence.

Legacy and death

Debate over Morelos's alleged children

1800 - 1899

Lucas Alamán, a nineteenth-century opponent of the insurgency and later a conservative politician and historian, asserted that Morelos fathered several children with anonymous women. The charge may have been a slur without foundation against the insurgent priest.

Morelos is tried by the Inquisition

Dec 1815

After his capture, Morelos was tried by the Inquisition. He was also defrocked as a cleric before being handed over to civil authorities.

Death of José María Morelos

Dec 22, 1815

Morelos died on 22 December 1815 after leading the Mexican independence movement following Miguel Hidalgo's execution.

Morelos is executed

Dec 22, 1815

Morelos was executed by firing squad on 22 December 1815 in San Cristóbal Ecatepec, north of Mexico City, to prevent his execution from provoking a dangerous public reaction.

Morelos appears on 1-peso coins

1940 - 1989

Morelos was depicted on 1-peso coins issued during the 1940s, 1970s, and 1980s, making him a recurring figure in Mexican numismatic imagery.

Image source: Mexican peso

Insurgency and campaigns

Hidalgo launches the revolt

Sep 16, 1810

At about 6:00 a.m. on 16 September 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, parish priest of Dolores, ordered the church bells rung and gathered his congregation. This event launched the revolt that became the Mexican War of Independence.

Image source: Cry of Dolores

Morelos decides to join the revolt

Oct 1810

After hearing of the revolt in October 1810, Morelos determined to join the independence movement. His decision transformed him from parish priest into one of the insurgency's principal leaders.

Valladolid is taken by insurgents

Oct 17, 1810

Valladolid was taken peacefully on 17 October 1810 during the early advance of the insurgent movement.

Image source: Mexican War of Independence

Morelos occupies Chilpancingo

May 24, 1811

On 24 May 1811, Morelos occupied Chilpancingo as part of his expanding military campaign in southern New Spain.

Morelos takes Tixtla

May 26, 1811

Two days after occupying Chilpancingo, Morelos took Tixtla on 26 May 1811, strengthening insurgent control in the region.

Morelos is welcomed at Christmas

Dec 24, 1811

On Christmas Eve 1811, townspeople welcomed Morelos to the town. The reception reflected the popular support he received during his southern campaigns.

Morelos breaks the siege

May 2, 1812

After 58 days, Morelos broke through the siege on 2 May 1812 and began his third military campaign.

Victory at Citlalli

Jun 8, 1812

Morelos won a major victory at Citlalli on 8 June 1812 during his third campaign.

Victory at Tehuacán

Aug 10, 1812

Insurgent forces under Morelos achieved a major victory at Tehuacán on 10 August 1812.

Morelos captures Orizaba

Oct 1812

Orizaba was among the major victories achieved during Morelos's third campaign in 1812.

Morelos arrives at Orizaba

Oct 28, 1812

Morelos arrived at Orizaba on 28 October 1812 with 10,000 soldiers, demonstrating the scale of his insurgent army.

Morelos enters Oaxaca in triumph

Nov 25, 1812

Morelos entered Oaxaca in triumph on 25 November 1812 after the insurgent advance through southern Mexico.

Acapulco falls to the insurgents

Apr 12, 1813

Acapulco fell to Morelos's forces on 12 April 1813, forcing the Spanish army to take refuge in the Fort of San Diego.

Image source: Siege of Acapulco (1813)

Morelos begins his fourth campaign

Oct 1, 1813 - Dec 31, 1813

Shortly after the independence declaration, Morelos began his fourth military campaign. It became a series of defeats beginning at Valladolid in late 1813.

Morelos is defeated at Temalaca

Nov 1815

While escorting Congress in November 1815, Morelos was defeated at Temalaca by royalist forces.

Congress and independence

Morelos outlines Sentimientos de la Nación

1813

Morelos wrote Sentimientos de la Nación, or Sentiments of the Nation, a program for the Mexican nation influenced by the Constitution of Cádiz.

Morelos calls the Congress of Chilpancingo

1813

In 1813, Morelos called the National Constituent Congress of Chilpancingo. It was composed of representatives from provinces under insurgent control and was asked to consider a political and social program.

Congress endorses Sentimientos de la Nación

Sep 1813

In September 1813, the Congress, with Morelos present, endorsed Sentimientos de la Nación. The source records the endorsement as occurring on 31 September 1813.

Congress declares Mexican independence

Nov 6, 1813

On 6 November 1813, the Congress declared independence in the Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America.

The Constitution of Apatzingán declares a republic

Oct 22, 1814

On 22 October 1814, the Constitution of Apatzingán, drafted by Congress, declared that Mexico would be a republic.

Image source: Constitution of Apatzingán

The Constitution of Apatzingán declares a republic

Morelos escorts the insurgent Congress