Harmonia Fabricada: Tutela, emancipação e união no Catecismo de la Independencia (1821)

Abstract

After the publication of the Plan of Iguala in 1821, the public opinion of the Viceroyalty of New Spain was flooded with panflects and articles debating the project of independence. A central issue in these heated debates was the place of the peninsulares in the future nation. Amid aggressive reactions and passionate defenses, Luis de Mendizábal wrote a political catechism to persuade the public that the union between Americans and Spaniards was crucial for Mexico’s emancipation. This paper analyzes the author's arguments in favor of unity, which was crucial for garnering support for the independence project. We argue that Luis de Mendizábal, in deep alignment with the Plan of Iguala, sustains its narrative of natural and peaceful independence by promoting the union of Americans and Spaniards while excluding any elements of hostility or tension between them. Through this analysis, we also highlight the rhetorical and pedagogical role of catechisms during the period and their capacity to mobilize diverse discourses in defense of a national project.