At the end of the 18th century, life wasn’t easy in New Spain. Even the criollos, descendants of Europeans elite but born in the New World, could only climb so far in society, as the top offices in government were reserved for the those born in the Iberian peninsula, across the ocean. These penninsulares had it easy... or easier, for they found themselves ruling an increasingly unrestful population. By the first decade of the the new century, New Spain had experienced a handful of revolts; criollo and indigenous led; each one more violent than the last. It could only be a mater of time before the right spark ignited the fire!
Meanwhile, in the north, the United States of America were celebrating the inauguration of their third President, Thomas Jefferson. So far the new nation, which was created out of a loose alliance of former British colonies had enjoyed relative stability. But political schisms were starting to appear. The new President led a faction that fancied themselves “Democratic-Republicans”; these Republicans stood in favor of a decentralized government, preferring to allocate power into the hands of the individual states. In opposition to Jefferson, the Federalist party had formed. Spearheaded by Alexander Hamilton, and former President John Adams. The Federalists supported a strong executive office at the head of government. Their differences and quarrels would pile up over the course of Jefferson’s three terms as President. It would only be a matter of time before the right domino was pushed to and the whole pile was brought down!
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