Isabella Carter
The Cádiz Constitution, also known as the Spanish Constitution of 1812, was promulgated in Cádiz, Spain, on March 19, 1812. It was the first written Spanish constitution, produced by the Cortes of Cádiz, and is considered the founding document of liberalism in Spain. The constitution was created in response to the abdication of the Spanish king in favor of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte, due to pressure from invading French troops. It addressed the legitimacy of the monarch and aimed to provide a basis for government across the empire. The Cádiz Constitution had a significant impact on later constitutions in Spain and Spanish America, as well as on European and American constitutions after independence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Date | 19 March 1812 |
| Location | Cádiz |
| Type | Liberal |
| Purpose | Addressing the lack of legitimacy due to the king's abdication in favor of Napoleon's brother |
| Key Features | Male suffrage, freedom of the press, national sovereignty, abolition of privileges |
| Influence | Influenced later constitutions in Spain and Spanish America, including the Norwegian Constitution of 1814 and the Portuguese Constitution of 1822 |
| Duration | Applied for six years due to tumultuous political period |
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What You'll Learn
The Cadiz Constitution was created in Spain
The Cadiz Constitution was created during a tumultuous period in Spanish history, marked by the French invasion and the abdication of the king in favour of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte. It was written under the protection of the British fleet in Cadiz, one of the few cities that remained unoccupied by the invading French troops. The constitution aimed to address the lack of legitimacy due to the captive monarch and was expected to be the basis of government across the empire, from Madrid to Mexico and Manila.
The document instituted extensive male suffrage, freedom of the press, national sovereignty, and the abolition of privileges for citizens across the Spanish empire. It shattered the utopian character of the French constitution and constituted a revolution against the "Old Regime". Unlike the French constitution, the Cadiz Constitution had a universal character, including all overseas territories such as the Italian kingdoms and the Philippines.
The Cadiz Constitution had a significant impact on the emerging states of Spanish America and influenced later constitutions in Spain and Spanish America. It served as a model for liberal constitutions in several Mediterranean and Latin American nations, including Norway, Portugal, and Mexico. However, its implementation was brief due to the political instability of the time, with Ferdinand VII abolishing it upon his return to Spain in 1814.
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It was written in 1812
The Cadiz Constitution, also known as the Spanish Constitution of 1812, was written and enacted in 1812. It was passed in the Oratorio San Felipe in Cadiz, a city in Spain, on March 19, 1812, coinciding with the feast of St. Joseph. As a result, the constitution was nicknamed "La Pepa".
The Cadiz Constitution was the first written constitution of Spain, and it was promulgated during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814). It was produced by the Cortes of Cadiz, who were liberal representatives. The constitution had ten titles and 384 articles and was of a markedly liberal character. It established national sovereignty and the division of powers, with sovereignty residing in the nation rather than the king.
The document was a model for liberal constitutions in several Mediterranean and Latin American nations. It served as an inspiration for the constitutions of Norway (1814), Portugal (1822), and Mexico (1824). The Cadiz Constitution was also implemented with minor modifications in various Italian states during their revolt of 1820-1821.
The Cadiz Constitution had a universal character, applying to all people within the Spanish Empire, including those in overseas territories such as the Italian kingdoms and the Philippines. It granted Spanish citizenship to natives of territories that had belonged to the Spanish monarchy in both hemispheres, including Indigenous peoples of the Americas. However, Afro-American peoples had to acquire citizenship through naturalization, excluding slaves.
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It was a response to Napoleon's invasion
The Cadiz Constitution was created in Spain, in response to the Napoleonic invasion of 1808. Napoleon forced the abdication of the Spanish king, Ferdinand VII, and placed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, on the Spanish throne. Seeking to create legitimacy for Joseph I, Napoleon called the Cortes, whose delegates he had selected, to proclaim Joseph as the legitimate monarch. However, this was rejected by Spaniards, creating a crisis of legitimacy.
Many places in Spain created juntas to rule in place of the legitimate monarch, and a Supreme Central Junta was created to coordinate the multiplicity of juntas. Spaniards rejecting Napoleon's rule meant they needed to offer political inducements for Spanish America and the Philippines to stay loyal to the empire. A new Cortes was called with delegates from Spain and overseas components of the Spanish Empire in the Americas and the Philippines. The Spanish organized an interim government, the Supreme Central Junta, and called for a Cortes to convene with representatives from all Spanish provinces in the empire, to establish a legitimate government.
The Cortes of Cádiz produced the first written Spanish constitution, promulgated in Cádiz on 19 March 1812. It is regarded as the founding document of liberalism in Spain and was a response to the crisis of legitimacy brought about by the Napoleonic invasion. The constitution aimed to address what they viewed as a lack of legitimacy because the monarch was captive. It was expected to be the basis of government in all corners of the empire and instituted extensive male suffrage, freedom of the press, national sovereignty, and the abolition of privileges for citizens from all parts of the vast empire.
The Cadiz Constitution had a direct impact on the emerging states of Spanish America, and it influenced later constitutions in Spain and Spanish America. It served as a model for the Norwegian Constitution of 1814, the Portuguese Constitution of 1822, and the Mexican Constitution of 1824.
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The constitution was based on liberalism
The Cadiz Constitution, also known as the Spanish Constitution of 1812, was promulgated in the Spanish port city of Cadiz on 19 March 1812. It was the first written Spanish constitution and is considered the founding document of liberalism in Spain. The document was created in response to the abdication of the Spanish king in favour of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte, under pressure from invading French troops.
The constitution aimed to address the lack of legitimacy due to the captive monarch and was expected to serve as the basis of government across the empire. It shattered the utopian character of the French constitution, instead drawing on enlightenment elements that constituted a revolution against the "Old Regime" in the Spanish empire. It recognised sovereignty as coming from the people and not from the king, marking a significant shift in political power.
The Cadiz Constitution had a significant impact on later constitutions in Spain and Spanish America, as well as on the constitutions of several Mediterranean and Latin American nations. It served as a model for the Norwegian Constitution of 1814, the Portuguese Constitution of 1822, and the Mexican Constitution of 1824. The document also influenced the revolt of 1820-1821 in various Italian states led by the Carbonari, who implemented it with minor modifications. The Plan de Iguala in Mexico in 1821 was a direct reaction to the liberal nature of the Cadiz Constitution, with Agustín de Iturbide seeking to revert to the previous, more conservative form of government.
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It influenced later constitutions
The Cadiz Constitution, also known as the Spanish Constitution of 1812, was promulgated in the Spanish port city of Cadiz on 19 March 1812. It was the first written Spanish constitution and is considered the founding document of liberalism in Spain. It was created in response to the abdication of the Spanish king in favour of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte, under pressure from invading French troops.
The Cadiz Constitution had a significant influence on later constitutions, not only in Spain but also in other parts of the world. Here are some ways in which it made an impact:
Influence on Later Constitutions in Spain and Spanish America
The Cadiz Constitution served as a model for later constitutions in Spain and its American possessions, which were proclaimed as full members of the kingdom, not mere colonies. It was reinstated during the Trienio Liberal (1820-1823) and again in 1836-1837 while the Progressives prepared the Constitution of 1837. It influenced the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and the Plan de Iguala in Mexico in 1821, which was a reaction to the liberal ideals of the Cadiz Constitution.
Influence on Mediterranean and Latin American Nations
During the early nineteenth century, the Cadiz Constitution served as a model for liberal constitutions in several Mediterranean and Latin American nations. It directly influenced the Norwegian Constitution of 1814, the Portuguese Constitution of 1822, and was implemented with modifications in various Italian states during their revolt of 1820-1821.
Spread of Liberal Ideas
The Cadiz Constitution, along with the Lisbon Constitution of 1822, contributed to the spread of Iberian liberalism. These liberal ideas reached places like India, with historians noting that newspapers and word of mouth spread the liberal pronouncements of these constitutions to cities like Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras.
Influence on the Enlightenment and Revolution
The Cadiz Constitution has sparked renewed interest in the Spanish constitutional experience and its influence on the Enlightenment's impact on revolution. Historians argue that it is impossible to understand the process of Spanish American independence movements without considering the Cadiz Constitution and the election of deputies to Cortes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cadiz Constitution was created in Spain.
The Cadiz Constitution was created on 19 March 1812.
The Cadiz Constitution was the first written Spanish constitution and is regarded as the founding document of liberalism in Spain. It influenced later constitutions in Spain and Spanish America, and served as a model for liberal constitutions in several Mediterranean and Latin American nations.
The Cadiz Constitution instituted extensive male suffrage, freedom of the press, national sovereignty, and the abolition of privileges for citizens throughout the Spanish Empire.
![The Political Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy proclaimed in Cadiz 19th of March 1812. [The translator's dedication is signed, âœPhilos Hispaniæ.â]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61KifJ41Y6L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
