Cadiz Cortes: Revolution, Constitution, and Legacy (1808-1812)
The Cadiz Cortes: A Turning Point in Spanish History
During the war years in Cadiz, a political revolutionary process unfolded, marking a break from the absolutism of the past. With Charles IV and Ferdinand VII having renounced the throne, a vacuum of authority emerged, challenging the legitimacy of the monarchy and the acceptance of taxation. The sovereignty of royal power shifted to the people.
The Boards and the Rise of Popular Sovereignty
The Boards demonstrated the spontaneous participation of the Spanish people in the war and the political revolution. These new political organizations, composed of representatives of the people, emerged and took power in Spain to resist the French. Local and provincial boards formed across the country after the abdications of Bayonne.
In September 1808, a central board was established with 36 representatives. Its first seat was in Aranjuez, later moving to Seville and Cadiz due to the advancing Napoleonic armies. The board’s work was threefold:
- Govern the country
- Direct military resistance
- Convene the meeting of representatives in Cadiz
The central board dissolved itself in 1810.
Cortes de Cádiz: Ideologies in Conflict
The Cortes de Cádiz faced a group of French-influenced men who intended to implement reforms based on French ideas. However, these ideas were largely rejected, and the work of the Cortes was favored in the absence of the king.
The Cortes convened in 1810, claiming unlimited self-empowerment, with approximately 300 deputies. Major trends emerged:
- Reformers and liberals
- Supporters of the old absolutist regime
The Cortes proclaimed Ferdinand VII as the legitimate king and set two primary goals:
- Reforming institutions
- Drafting the constitution
The reforms included freedom of the press, abolition of the feudal regime, abolition of the Inquisition, abolishment of the guild system, and the creation of a budgetary system.
The Constitution of 1812: A Foundation for Spanish Liberalism
The Constitution of 1812, the first approved in Spain, summarized the legislative work and established the foundations of Spanish liberalism. This constitution governed matters related to political life and the rights of citizens.
The idea of a unified nation-state was embodied, affirming the rights of all Spaniards within a single historical entity. Members of Parliament (MPs) represented the nation as a whole. The Constitution marked a step toward political and administrative centralization.
Key aspects of the Constitution included:
- Affirmation of individual and collective rights
- Equal rights for citizens
- Centralized bureaucracy
- Common prosecutors
- National army
- Internal free market
The Constitution proclaimed national sovereignty, with the Cortes having a single chamber elected by universal male suffrage.
National sovereignty was vested in King Ferdinand VII, but as a constitutional monarch. Catholicism was recognized as the sole state religion, and the properties of privileged groups were acknowledged.
Division of Powers
The Constitution vested legislative power in a unicameral Cortes. The judiciary was deposited in the courts, diminishing the power of the king and feudal lords to administer justice. The king reigned but did not govern, having the initiative to propose laws to the Cortes, command the armed forces, and appoint ministers.
Representation and Rights
The MPs represented the Spanish nation, not estates as in ancient courts. Only men over 25 were entitled to vote.
The declaration of equality for all citizens before the law was a cornerstone.
Other themes included:
- Recognition of individual rights
- Declaration of Catholicism as the only permitted religion
- Reorganization of the armed forces