The Manifesto of the Persians and the 1812 Constitution

Key Political Concepts

Before analyzing the historical context, it is essential to define the following terms:

• Absolute Monarchy: A political system characterized by the concentration of all power (executive, legislative, and judicial) in the hands of the monarch, often justified by the theory of the divine origin of power. Supervisory bodies, such as the Spanish Cortes, served only a consultative role. This system persisted in Spain until the death of Fernando VII.
• Constitution of Cadiz: The first constitution in contemporary Spanish history. It was liberal in character and drafted by the General and Extraordinary Cortes, which convened in 1810.
• Cortes: Historically, these were traditional representative bodies from the late Middle Ages composed of three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the third estate. Their primary functions were advisory, including succession to the crown and the approval of taxes. These differed significantly from the liberal Cortes of Cadiz, which represented the nation and held legislative power.

The Constitution of 1812

Promulgated in 1812 following elections by universal male suffrage, this constitution reflected the core principles of liberalism:

• National sovereignty.
• Separation of powers (legislative power held by the Cortes and the King; executive power held by the King, who appointed his secretaries).
• Establishment of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Although it was rarely enforced in Spain, it exerted a significant influence on the revolutionary waves of 1820.

The Manifesto of the Persians

In this historical document, the signatories—deputies representing Spain—petitioned Fernando VII to abolish the Constitution of Cadiz. They argued that its laws were harmful to the country and proposed the restoration of the traditional political order.

Arguments for Absolutism

The petitioners supported their request by claiming that the liberal regime was a product of revolution rather than popular will. They advocated for absolute monarchy based on the following ideological grounds:

• Reason and Divine Law: They argued that absolute monarchy is a work of reason subject to divine law, denying the liberal claim that it is arbitrary.
• Tradition and Authority: They asserted that the origins of the monarchy date back to the right of conquest or the historical subjugation of the first men to their kings, using tradition as a primary argument for authority.