Spain's 1812 constitution bicentennial - The Constitution that never was

[The Larch]

A couple of weeks ago it was the 2nd centennary of Spain's 1812 constitution, AFAIK the 3rd liberal constitution written in history, only after the American and the French ones. It was sadly short lived and mostly forgotten, but it remains a significant historical achievement and a reflection of the incredibly tumultuous period that for Spain was the early XIXth century. In case you're interested to read a bit about it, here's an article on it.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/03/30/inenglish/1333106049_167994.html

The Constitution that never was
March 19 marked the 200th anniversary of Spain's first magna carta, promulgated in Cádiz
As happened in 1812, the event has been largely overlooked

[Zanza]

It's one of those historic what ifs that make you wonder if history could have taken a more happy turn. Similar to our 1848 constitution.

[citizen k]

A couple of weeks ago it was the 2nd centennary of Spain's 1812 constitution, AFAIK the 3rd liberal constitution written in history, only after the American and the French ones.

Only one of those has been in continuous use since then. 

[Zanza]

Only one of those has been in continuous use since then. 

Ron Paul disagrees.

[citizen k]

Only one of those has been in continuous use since then. 

Ron Paul disagrees.

I appreciate his vigilance.

[Valmy]

A couple of weeks ago it was the 2nd centennary of Spain's 1812 constitution, AFAIK the 3rd liberal constitution written in history, only after the American and the French ones.

Only one of those has been in continuous use since then. 

The French 1793 Constitutions was never actually put into the place and the Directory Constitution had been overthrown by Napoleon so only one of those was in use at all in 1812.

[chipwich]

What qualifies as a liberal constution?

[Ideologue]

Not the U.S. one in 1812, that's for fucking sure.

[The Larch]

It's one of those historic what ifs that make you wonder if history could have taken a more happy turn. Similar to our 1848 constitution.

As a friend of mine says, "the only war we should have lost, we actually won it and celebrate it intensely". Oh, what could have been of Spain if the liberal French ideas had prevailed. Instead we got Fernando VII, arguably the worst king in all of Spanish history.