Agustín I of Mejico
Agustín I of Mejico (born in Valladolid, Michoacán; 27 September 1783 - Mejico City; 19 July 1865), full name Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Arámburu, was King of Mejico (r. 1825-1865), known as "the Great", and "Father of the Homeland". He married María Carlota of New Spain, daughter of Gabriel I, and aunt of Gabriel II in 1806, giving rise to the House of Bourbon-Iturbide, although it was not established as such until their coronation in 1825.
| Agustín I | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pater patriæ | |||||
 Portrait by Primitivo Miranda | |||||
| King of New Spain | |||||
| Reign | 21 September 1825 – 19 July 1864 | ||||
| Enthronement | 21 September 1825 | ||||
| Predecessor | Gabriel II | ||||
| Heir apparent | Agustín II | ||||
| Chief Ministers |
The Marquess of Chichihualco José Guadalupe Fernández The Marquess of La Troje Lucas Alamán Anastasio Bustamante Valentín Gómez Farías José Joaquín de Herrera José Mariano Paredes The Count García de Arista Juan Bautista Ceballos Antonio López de Santa Anna Ignacio Comonfort The Duke of Álamo | ||||
| Born |
Error: Need valid year, month, day Valladolid, Michoacán, Viceroyalty of New Spain | ||||
| Died |
19 July 1865 Palace of Chapultepec, Mejico City, Mejico | ||||
| Burial | |||||
| Spouse |
María Carlota of Mejico (m. 1806) | ||||
| Issue Detail | |||||
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| House | Bourbon-Iturbide | ||||
| Dynasty | Capetian | ||||
| Father | José Joaquín de Iturbide y Arregui | ||||
| Mother | María Josefa Arámburu y Carrillo de Figueroa | ||||
| Religion | Catholicism | ||||
Born in Valladolid 5 years before Novohispanic independence, Iturbide was the sixth child and third son of the highly influential nobles José Joaquín de Iturbide and María Josefa de Arámburu, his father coming from a Peninsular background, and his mother from a Criollo background. Being a noble Criollo, Iturbide had access to quality education but enlisted in the army at 15 years of age. In 1800, he joined the army as an ensign of the provincial regiment of Valladolid. As the new Bourbon dynasty was seeking to strengthen ties with their new realm, Iturbide married Gabriel I's only daughter, María Carlota in 1806.
Iturbide's rise in the ranks of the army was a result of his dedication, strategic thinking, and excellent leadership skills. He was a brilliant military strategist who was highly respected by his peers, and he had a natural talent for inspiring loyalty and respect among the troops. Iturbide's marriage to María Carlota helped him to gain favor with the royal family, and he quickly established himself as a capable and respected military leader. He played an important role during Yermo's Rebellion in 1810, an attempted coup d'état that sought to overthrow the Novohispanic monarchy. Iturbide was able to outmaneuver the insurgents and bring the rebellion to a swift end, earning him further recognition and acclaim. By 1813, Iturbide had been promoted to the rank of colonel, and he continued to distinguish himself on the battlefield. He was known for his bravery, tactical expertise, and ability to inspire his troops. In 1819, he was promoted to the rank of general brigadier, and in 1822, he was promoted to the rank of general de brigada.
Iturbide's reputation continued to grow, and in 1825, New Spain was governed by a regency council due to Gabriel II's infancy. The council consisted of several high-ranking officials, including Agustín de Iturbide, who had become an important member due to his military and political accomplishments, as well as his family ties. As time passed, Iturbide became increasingly dissatisfied with the council's slow pace of reform and lack of decisive action. He believed that the country needed a strong, centralized government that could promote economic growth and protect the rights of all Novohispanics. Iturbide, together with his wife, began to plot a coup, which they believed would allow them to seize power and establish a new government that could meet the needs of the people. They were able to win the support of several key military and political leaders, many council members included, who agreed to support their plan. On September 21, 1825, Iturbide and María Carlota issued a proclamation calling for the dissolution of the regency council and the establishment of a new government led by themselves. The proclamation was met with widespread support among all castes and classes, and within hours, the council had been disbanded.
The first years after the establishment of Mejico's new dynasty were marked by political stability, economic growth, and ideological conflict between Conservatives and Liberals, primarily in the region of Central America. Catholicism remained the only permitted faith, and the Church and Army as institutions retained their privileges, cementing the new monarchs' status as bulwarks of Conservatism. Agustín and Carlota secured the loyalty of their subjects through a number of reforms such as the reorganization of the government, the modernization of the Army, the establishment of new universities and educational institutions, and the creation of a centralized judicial system.
Between 1830 and 1843, the Mejican monarchy faced significant challenges, including growing opposition from various political factions and economic pressures. The period saw a rise of influential figures and events that would shape the course of Mejican history - with one of the most significant events being the secession of Central America in 1838. Despite this, the Mejican Monarchs, as Agustín and Carlota were known, due to their renaming of New Spain to Mejico, continued to pursue their vision of a strong, centralized monarchy, and implemented a number of policies aimed at consolidating their power. At the same time, they faced growing opposition from various political factions, such as the Republican and Liberal Parties, which gained strength after the Central American secession. The discovery of gold in Upper San Fulgencio revitalized the efforts of the Mejican Monarchs and improved their image, as great riches and waves of migrants trickled into the country, developing the Fulgencines and the New Northern region as a whole, transforming the area from a sparsely populated wildernss into a thriving economic hub. The influx of settlers and investment spurred the development of new infrastructure, including roads, railways, bridges, and other transportation links, as well as schools, churches, universities, and other civic institutions.
In the later years of his reign, Agustín I oversaw a period of significant social changes, which included the death of his wife, Liberal and Conservative coups and counter-coups that rocked the country, the short-lived Liberal Reform, the Hospicio Plan, the threat of war with Great Britain and Queen Victoria's refusal to aid the Liberals, and the Yucatán Caste War. Agustín I remained in power until his death in 1865. Despite the challenges he faced during the later years of his reign, he is remembered as one of Mejico's most important leaders. He oversaw a period of significant growth and development in the country, and his legacy continues to be felt in Mejico today.