José María Morelos biography

Profile

José María Morelos was born September 30, 1765 in Valladolid, Mexico. In 1811 he joined Miguel Hidalgo's insurrection and, after Hidalgo's death, took command of the movement in southern Mexico. Between 1812 and 1815 he controlled most of Mexico southwest of Mexico City. He called the Congress of Chilpancingo in 1813 to form a government. In November the congress declared Mexico's independence.