Isabella Carter
The Political Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy, also known as the Constitution of Cádiz or La Pepa, was the first codified constitution of Spain. It was ratified on 19 March 1812 by the Cortes of Cádiz, the first Spanish legislature to include delegates from the entire nation and its possessions, including the Philippines and Spanish America. The constitution was one of the most liberal of its time, affirming national sovereignty, separation of powers, freedom of the press, and free enterprise, though it also affirmed Roman Catholicism as the official and sole legal religion.
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![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)
What You'll Learn
The Constitution's liberal character
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812, also known as La Pepa, was the first constitution of Spain. It was drawn up in Cadiz on March 19, 1812, during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814). The constitution was of a markedly liberal character and was regarded as the founding document of liberalism in Spain. It established national sovereignty and the division of powers, limiting the power of the monarchy and protecting the rights of citizens.
The constitution was promulgated by the Cortes of Cádiz, the first Spanish legislature that included delegates from the entire nation and its possessions, including Spanish America and the Philippines. The Cortes of 1810–1812, which produced the constitution, was made up of a majority of liberal deputies, with implicit British support, and representatives of the Church and nobility constituted a minority. The constitution was a response to the Napoleonic invasion of 1808, which ended the Ancien Regime and marked the start of liberal constitutionalism in Spain.
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812 had ten titles and 384 articles. Its principal characteristic was its declared intention to introduce a thorough reorganization of the state based on liberal principles. It confirmed the legitimacy of the monarch while also limiting the power of the monarchy and reducing the influence of the Church and nobility. It established national sovereignty, affirmed the freedom and independence of the Spanish nation, and enshrined the rights of Spanish citizens.
The constitution also introduced other liberal reforms, such as affirming the separation of powers, freedom of the press, and free enterprise, and abolishing corporate privileges. It proclaimed Roman Catholicism as the official and sole legal religion in Spain, with the state protecting it and preventing the exercise of any other faith. The constitution also outlined the duties of Spaniards, such as the obligation to be faithful to the constitution, to obey the laws, to respect the established authorities, to defend the country, and to contribute financially to the state.
Despite its liberal character, the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812 was not enacted for several years due to the French occupation. When King Fernando VII was restored to power in 1814, one of his first acts was to revoke the constitution, restoring absolute monarchical power. However, the constitution was briefly reinstated from 1820 to 1823 and again in 1836 and 1837, and it served as an important model for liberal constitutions in Portugal and former Spanish territories in the New World.
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The Constitution's influence
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812, also known as La Pepa, was the first constitution of Spain and one of the earliest codified constitutions in world history. It was promulgated on 19 March 1812 by the Cortes of Cádiz, the first Spanish legislature to include delegates from the entire nation and its possessions, including Spanish America and the Philippines. The constitution had ten titles and 384 articles and was of a markedly liberal character.
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812 had a significant influence on the country's history, despite being abolished by King Fernando VII upon his restoration to the throne in 1814. It was reinstated briefly from 1820 to 1823 and again from 1836 to 1837.
Firstly, it served as a symbol of resistance to French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars. By establishing national sovereignty and limiting the power of the monarchy, the constitution asserted Spain's independence and rejected the idea of a foreign ruler. This had a lasting impact on Spanish nationalism and self-governance.
Secondly, it was a foundational document for liberalism in Spain and beyond. It affirmed liberal principles such as national sovereignty, separation of powers, freedom of the press, and free enterprise. It also reduced the influence of the Church and nobility, and protected the rights of citizens, including voting rights for those with ancestry in Spain or the Spanish Empire. The constitution's liberal character inspired similar documents in Portugal and former Spanish territories in the New World that gained their independence in the 19th century.
Thirdly, the Constitution of 1812 set a precedent for parliamentary life and constitutionalism in Spain. It established a unicameral parliament, with the king retaining executive power but losing his status as the source of all power. The constitution's recognition of national sovereignty and its inclusion of a tentative declaration of rights influenced the Constitution of 1837, which was drafted after the death of Ferdinand VII to restore constitutionalism.
Finally, the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812 left a legacy of constitutionalism and liberalism that persisted through the 19th century and beyond. Despite periods of absolutist rule and conservative backlash, Spain returned to the principles established in 1812 with subsequent constitutions, including the current one enacted in 1978.
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The Constitution's ratification
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812, also known as La Pepa, was ratified on March 19, 1812, by the Cortes of Cádiz, the first Spanish legislature to include delegates from across the nation and its colonies, including Spanish America and the Philippines.
The constitution was promulgated during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814), when Napoleon's troops were occupying France and attempting to invade Spain. The Cortes Generales (General Courts), Spain's national legislative assembly, had taken refuge in the city of Cádiz from the French. The constitution was a notably liberal document, affirming national sovereignty, the separation of powers, freedom of the press, free enterprise, and the abolition of corporate privileges. It also established the country as a democratic parliamentary monarchy and reduced the influence of the church and nobility.
The constitution was not enacted for several years, and its immediate influence was limited. When King Ferdinand VII was restored to the throne in 1814, one of his first acts was to revoke the constitution, restoring absolute monarchical power. However, the constitution was an important document in the history of liberalism in Spain, and it was reinstated from 1820 to 1823 and again in 1836-1837. It also served as a model for liberal constitutions in Portugal and former Spanish colonies in the New World that gained their independence in the 19th century.
The ratification of the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812 was a significant event in Spanish history, marking the first time that the rights of Spanish citizens were enshrined in a formal document, and limiting the power of the monarchy.
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The Constitution's revocation
The revocation of the 1812 Constitution, also known as "La Pepa", was a significant event in the history of Spain. La Pepa was enacted on 19 March 1812, during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814) against Napoleon. It was the first constitution of Spain and one of the earliest codified constitutions in world history. The constitution had ten titles and 384 articles and was of a markedly liberal character. It affirmed national sovereignty, separation of powers, freedom of the press, free enterprise, and abolished corporate privileges.
However, when King Ferdinand VII was restored to the throne in 1814, one of his first acts was to revoke the constitution. This was despite the fact that he had first promised to uphold it. Ferdinand VII turned on the liberals and constitutionalists with fury, and he exercised absolute monarchical power until the end of his reign in 1833.
The revocation of the 1812 Constitution was not the end of its influence, however. The constitution was reinstated from 1820 to 1823, during a liberal interregnum, and again briefly in 1836 and 1837 while the Constitution of 1837 was being drafted. The 1812 Constitution also served as a model for liberal constitutions in Portugal and New World territories that gained their independence from Spain in the early 19th century.
The influence of the 1812 Constitution extended beyond its specific provisions. It represented a significant shift towards liberalism and constitutionalism in Spain, and it inspired later efforts to establish constitutional government and protect the rights of citizens. The constitution of 1837, for example, was a shorter, more pared-down version that reflected the ideals of the progressive party, including recognition of national sovereignty and a tentative declaration of rights.
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The Constitution's reinstatement
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812, also known as La Pepa, was reinstated briefly between 1820 and 1823, and again from 1836 to 1837.
After the Constitution of Cádiz was first established in 1812, King Fernando VII de Borbon (or Ferdinand VII) returned to power in 1814. One of his first acts was to revoke the constitution, thereby restoring absolute monarchical power. Fernando VII reigned until 1833, but his death sparked a period of opposition. The Regent María Cristina was pressured to make concessions to those calling for a return to the constitutionalism of 1812. She passed the Royal Statute of 1834, establishing Parliament as the representative body. However, this statute was extremely conservative, with Parliament divided into two houses, and it granted only limited legislative and budgetary functions.
The Constitution of 1812 was reinstated in 1820, but only for three years. In 1822, the Congress of Verona approved the intervention of royalist French forces in Spain to support Ferdinand VII. After the Battle of Trocadero, the king turned on the liberals and constitutionalists. The Constitution was reinstated again in 1836, while the Constitution of 1837 was being drafted. The Constitution of 1837 was a more pared-down version, reflecting the ideals of the progressive party, including the recognition of national sovereignty and a tentative declaration of rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812, also known as La Pepa, was the first constitution of Spain. It was ratified on March 19, 1812, by the Cortes of Cádiz, the first Spanish legislature that included delegates from the entire nation and its possessions.
The Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy of 1812 was one of the most liberal of its time. It affirmed national sovereignty, the separation of powers, freedom of the press, free enterprise, and abolished corporate privileges. It also established the division of powers, with the king retaining executive power but losing his status as the source of all power.
The Constitution of 1812 was an important document in the history of liberalism in Spain. It was also used as a model for liberal constitutions in Portugal and New World territories that gained their independence from the Spanish crown in the 19th century. Despite its influence, the Constitution of 1812 was revoked by King Fernando VII when the monarchy was restored in 1814. It was briefly reinstated from 1820-1823 and 1836-1837.
