The Consolidacion de Vales Reales as a Determining Factor in the Mexican Struggle for Independence,1804-1808

Abstract

The Consolidacion de Vales Reales, a tax policy applied by the Spanish Crown between 1804 and 1808, was an important background event to Mexico's struggle for independence. It spurred different social sectors' first upheavals and demonstrations against New Spain's regime. Later on, several of these upheavals' leaders played relevant roles in the struggle for independence. Besides, the negative microeconomic and macroeconomic effects of the Con- solidacion produced widespread  rejection of the Spanish regime and the search for new political alternatives. Finally, many of those most damaged by the Consolidacion, including many clergymen, joined the independent movement.