Key Spanish Constitutions and Historical Terms: 1812-1876

Constitution of 1812

Promulgated by the Cortes of Cadiz on March 19, 1812 (St. Joseph's Day), and also known as La Pepa. It is considered the first liberal constitution of Spain:

• Recognition of national sovereignty.
• Division of the three powers: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• Proclamation of individual rights.
• Electoral participation through census suffrage (bourgeoisie and nobility).
• Equality of all citizens.

Constitution of 1837

A liberal document. Theoretically, it was a moderate review of the 1812 Constitution, but in reality, it was a new constitution drafted by the Cortes during the minority of Isabel II under the regency of Maria Cristina. It was inspired by the progressive liberalism that prevailed thanks to the role of the army led by General Espartero.

Constitution of 1845

A moderate Magna Carta that replaced the 1837 version. It arose from the rise to power of the Moderate Party, headed by General Narvaez. It inaugurated the 19th-century practice of considering the Spanish constitution as the property of the party in power, being modified depending on whether the moderates or the progressives held control.

Constitution of 1869

A liberal-progressive Magna Carta. It was created following the pronouncement of 1868, led by General Prim and the Liberal Democrats, who removed the moderates from power and deposed Isabel II. This was a very advanced constitution that governed until Amadeo I of Savoy abdicated the throne and the First Spanish Republic was proclaimed.

Constitution of 1876

A conservative consensus Magna Carta drawn up to facilitate the Bourbon Restoration in the person of Alfonso XII. It agreed with the manifesto written by Canovas del Castillo, who devised a conciliatory constitution that gained acceptance by the dominant political parties. It was applied until the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera:

• Shared sovereignty (King and Cortes).
• Cortes and the Senate (with census suffrage).
• Increased civil liberties.
• Religious freedom.

Historical Definitions

Concordat

A treaty signed between a state and the Catholic Church or the Vatican State regarding matters of religious assembly.

Cortes of the United Kingdoms

A medieval consultative body that brought together representatives of the nobility, clergy, and ordinary people.

Guerrilla

A military strategy based on the struggle of small military units formed by townspeople. Their main weapons were speed, the element of surprise, and knowledge of the terrain.

Disentailment

The process of seizing lands from the clergy and lower nobility to auction them off to the bourgeoisie and the nobility.