The Cortes of Cádiz and Political Revolution

The Cortes de Cádiz represented a crucial turning point in Spanish political history, establishing a new constitutional framework.

Vocabulary: Juntas were local and provincial governing bodies that emerged to fill the power vacuum left by the Bourbon monarchy's absence.

Quote: "The authority resides in the nation" became a fundamental principle of the new constitutional order.

The political transformation involved:

• Creation of local and provincial juntas
• Establishment of the Supreme Central Junta
• Formation of the Regency Council
• Convocation of the Cortes

Highlight: The Cortes included representatives from all Spanish territories and featured three main ideological tendencies: liberals, renovators, and absolutists.

The Constitution of 1812

The Constitución de 1812 established fundamental principles of modern Spanish governance and civil rights.

Definition: The Constitution of 1812, also known as "La Pepa," was Spain's first modern constitution, establishing principles of national sovereignty and division of powers.

Key constitutional elements included:

• National sovereignty
• Separation of powers
• Individual rights and liberties
• Universal male suffrage (indirect)
• Constitutional monarchy

Highlight: The constitution was applied during three distinct periods:

• 1812-1814
• 1820-1823
• 1836-1837

The Reign of Ferdinand VII and Colonial Emancipation

The return of Ferdinand VII marked the beginning of a complex period characterized by the struggle between liberalism and absolutism.

Vocabulary: The "Ominous Decade" (Década Ominosa) refers to the final period of Ferdinand VII's absolute rule $1823-1833$.

The period was marked by:

• The abolition of the 1812 Constitution
• Liberal persecution
• Economic crisis
• Colonial independence movements

Highlight: The American independence movements resulted in:

• Loss of Spanish colonial empire
• Emergence of new republics
• Economic consequences for Spain
• Rise of criollo leadership in former colonies

War of Independence: Antecedents and Causes

The first phase of the Spanish War of Independence emerged from complex political circumstances involving both domestic and international factors.

Definition: The War of Independence $1808-1813$ was a conflict between Spain and Napoleonic France that began with popular uprisings against French occupation.

Highlight: Key events leading to the war included:

• The French Revolution (1789)
• Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807)
• Mutiny of Aranjuez
• Bayonne Abdications

Example: The Battle of Trafalgar marked Spain's loss of naval power, while the Treaty of Fontainebleau allowed French troops to cross Spanish territory.

The war developed in three distinct phases:

1. Initial Spanish successes (May-November 1808)
2. French counteroffensive (November 1808-January 1812)
3. Final allied victory (Spring 1812-December 1813)