Background
José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón was born near Apatzingán, Michoacán, Mexico on September 30, 1765.
José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón was born near Apatzingán, Michoacán, Mexico on September 30, 1765.
He began to study for the priesthood at 32 and was given the Caracuaro and Mircupetaro parishes.
When, after taking Guanajuato, Hidalgo came to Valladolid, Morelos offered his services to the revolutionary cause. He was made colonel and charged with spreading the revolution in southern Mexico. He defeated several Spanish armies, and advanced on Mexico City, where Porlier, the Spanish commander, surrendered, January 22, 1812.
Morelos held Cuautla for 62 days against the Spanish under Calleja, finally evacuating the city and capturing Oaxaca in October 1812, and Acapulco, November 25, 1812. He inaugurated the first National Congress at Chilpancingo, September 13, 1813, declaring the nation an independent republic. In an attack on Valladolid, he was defeated and captured by Agustín de Iturbide, a commander of Spanish forces who later made himself emperor of Mexico. Taken to Mexico City, Morelos was condemned as a traitor and shot on Decemver 22, 1815.