Miguel Hidalgo was a Mexican priest born in 1753 who started the Mexican War of Independence from Spain in 1810. He issued the Grito de Dolores, calling Mexicans to arms against the Spanish. Though outnumbered, Hidalgo led victories against the Spanish at Monte de las Cruces and Guanajuato. However, he was eventually betrayed and captured, then executed in 1811. Hidalgo fought for independence and equality for criollos, or native-born Mexicans who were treated as second-class citizens under Spanish rule. His call to arms began a 11-year fight for Mexican independence that was achieved in 1821.
