The Mexican War of Independence, an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and Spanish colonial authorities, which started on September 16, 1810, is led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos, Zambos and Amerindians who seek independence from Spain.

It starts as an idealistic peasants' rebellion against their colonial masters, but finally ends as an unlikely alliance between "liberales" (liberals) and "conservadores"(conservatives).The struggle for Mexican independence dates back to the conquest of Mexico, when Martín Cortés, son of Hernán Cortés and La Malinche, led a revolt against the Spanish colonial government in order to eliminate the issues of oppression and privileges for the conquistadors.

According to some historians, the struggle for Mexican Independence was re-ignited in December 1650 when an Irish adventurer by the name of William Lamport, escaped from the jails of the Inquisition in Mexico, and posted a "Proclamation of Independence from Spain" on the walls of the city.

Lamport wanted Mexico to break with Spain, separate church and state and proclaim himself emperor of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

His ambitious idealist movement was soon terminated by the Spanish colonial authorities and Lamport was re-captured and executed for defamation.

After the abortive Conspiracy of the Machetes in 1799, the war of Independence led by the Mexican born Spaniards became a reality.

The movement for independence was far from gaining unanimous support among Mexicans, who became divided between independentists, autonomists and royalists.