The Cádiz Constitution is a constitution proclaimed on March 19, 1812 by the Cadiz Cortes of Spain , gathered during the Pyrenean War . This constitution , one of the most liberal for its time, was, in fact, the first constitution of Spain , since the Bayonne Statute , adopted in 1808 by Joseph Bonaparte , did not enter into force.
The Constitution of 1812 established a constitutional monarchy (legislative power belonged to the Cortes and the king, executive - to the king) and the principle of popular sovereignty [1] . The king took the oath of the constitution and had no right to dissolve the Cortes, or to delay the time of their convocation [2] . Proclaimed universal suffrage for men, individual liberty, the inviolability of the home [1] , freedom of the press and freedom of enterprise . Civil rights were recognized only for those who did not have an admixture of Negro blood [3] . Agrarian reform was envisaged . The supremacy of Catholicism and the power of the crown over the transatlantic possessions were declared [3] .
Equal representation of the metropolis and colonies in Cortes was established. It was forbidden to concentrate civilian and military power in the same hands, judicial privileges and special courts were abolished, such as the Inquisition Court and “security juntas” that were in charge of high treason cases, “provincial deputies” were created in each constituency, the audience lost administrative functions and was transformed into administrative court [4] .
On May 4, 1814, six weeks after the return of King Ferdinand VII to the country, the constitution was abolished, on May 10, the leaders of the liberals were arrested, and Spain returned to absolutism . The Cadiz Constitution operated during the Liberal Three Years of 1820–1823 and in 1836–1837 during the preparation of the Constitution of 1837 [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 TSB, 1973 , Cadiz Constitution of 1812.
- ↑ Potemkin, 1958 , p. 163.
- ↑ 1 2 Alperovich, 1979 , p. 78
- ↑ Alperovich, 1979 , p. 78-79.
Literature
- Alperovich M. S. Birth of the Mexican State. - M .: Science, 1979.
- Cadiz Constitution of 1812 // Italy - Quarkush. - M .: The Soviet Encyclopedia, 1973. - (The Great Soviet Encyclopedia : [in 30 t.] / Ch. Ed. AM Prokhorov ; 1969-1978, t. 11).
- New History 1789-1870 / Ans. Editor F.V. Potemkin. - M .: Socio-economic literature, 1958. - T. 2.
Links
- Wikimedia Commons has media related to the Cadiz Constitution
- Soviet historical encyclopedia