Independence and nation. The construction of national identity in Mexico and Argentina during the 19th century

Introduction: The author analyzed how, in recent years, Hispanic American historiography has reflected on the construction of nation-states after independence. The mythification of independence processes and the instrumentalization of these events in the consolidation of national identities were highlighted. Based on previous studies, the author compared the cases of Argentina and Mexico, examining how their national narratives were structured around symbols, heroes, and patriotic commemorations.Development: The text examined how the bicentennials of independence strengthened research on the formation of foundational myths in both countries. It emphasized that while in Mexico the Grito de Dolores became the origin of the insurgent movement, in Argentina, the May Revolution represented the starting point of its emancipation process. It also analyzed how early commemorations were used by elites to legitimize their political projects and how official narratives were constructed. The study observed that Argentina experienced multiple national projects, with different flags and symbols, whereas Mexico maintained greater territorial stability after its independence.Conclusion: The study provided insight into how historical memory and origin myths were fundamental in legitimizing nation-states. Both countries reinterpreted the events of 1810 to consolidate their national identities. The research demonstrated that these narratives not only built an official version of history but also excluded other potential nations that failed to materialize.