I chose to recap Chapter 6 of Russell, specifically the section of Democracy, Spanish Style. I found this area to be especially interesting from this chapter because not only was it showing political instability in Spain, but it showed new ideas and plans in order for Mexico to be liberated. I even found some similarities in their plans and actions to those of early Americans before the Revolution. After Fernando was jailed when the French invasion of Spain occurred in 1808, it was up to the people of Spain to form juntas and eventually their own parliament, Cortes. Members of New Spain were also allowed to participate in the Cortes because the Junta Central needed their support. These groups of juntas were more liberal than the royalty had been before. I find this idea fascinating. The fact that there is no one-ruler anymore and it is now up to the people to organize for their country is truly amazing. Russell explains that the Cortes sought reform yet also wanted to keep the colonies loyal. Since the Cortes was composed of many different Spanish individuals, it is no wonder that they sought to reform their country. These are the people who have had to receive their orders from one king with hardly any say in their government, they knew what was and wasn't working within their country. The progress of the new Cortes was also interesting to read. In only two years from when they started they had not only brought the people of the New World to have a voice in their government but they also drafted a constitution that included more rights for the people of the New World and even granting most adult males the right to vote within the Spanish Empire. Though there were still limitations on who specifically could vote, I think this was beneficial in their progress and goal for a more unified Spain. After the elections when the New World took over at a municipal level, it was clear that their concerns specifically were going to be heard. Though there were problems within this new form of government of the people, I think some of their efforts and ideas would have benefited the Spanish Empire. But as historians, we can see a trend with these kinds of governments and how they don't really work out after a while. There comes a sense of superiority within the new government causing concern and most likely an uprising.
After Fernando reclaimed the throne, I found Russell's statement that both sides of the Atlantic were rejoicing was very interesting (pg. 129). The Spanish Empire had their king back and I wonder if there was some sort of excitement and anticipation from them to show Fernando all that they have accomplished during his absence. But when Fernando abolishes basically everything they worked on with the Cortes, this makes the people very angry and rebel. It sounds difficult to say, but i think this rebellion was necessary in order for both Spain and the New World. Having an absolutist government was not working anymore. The people of the Spanish Empire had been given the chance to participate in their government and they didn't want to give that right up. I think that is important when understanding their rebellion and the progress they made during Fernando's absence.
During 1810-1822, the people of the New World were exposed to many different ideas and given chances to participate in their own government. The people who were elected into the councils learned parliamentary procedure, the value of compromise and debating skills while the voters learned to value the ballot (pg. 130). The people were now seeing what they could accomplish and it is no surprise why they wanted to keep the Cortes system. I found it interesting to read about the freedom of press being exposed to Mexicans. Now they were beginning to see ideas outside of the Spanish Empire, what other countries were doing with their government and people. I thought this exposure was extremely interesting because
The establishment of the Cortes showed how much the people wanted to become a part of their government and have a voice. In spite of the fact of being under the control of Spain for years the people had not lost their desire to get in some way back to having some say in how their lives were going to be governed. What was established under Cortes showed how the people were able to organize and successfully govern themselves without a monarch. But unfortunately when they gained independence they struggled. Actually obtaining independence proved just how difficult it was for these people to step out on their own and return to being in charge of their own land again.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great blog describing what was in chapter 6. In class today we talked about how Creole Mexicans did not like the French Bourbon reforms and rebelled against them in King Fernando’s VII name. When the French were pushed out of Spain and Fernando keeps most of the Bourbon reforms and abolishes everything the Creole elite had done. Agustin de Iturbide would become the leader of the revolution and his Plan of Iguala would be the way to Mexican Independence. It called for royalists and insurgents to unite against Spain to achieve the Independence of Mexico (pg. 131, Russell). The plan included the Roman Catholic Church as the official religion, absolute independence of Mexico with a constitutional monarchy, and granted citizenship to all the inhabitants of New Spain. If Government and military officials accepted the Plan they would be allowed to keep their job. The most intriguing part of the plan for the people in New Spain was for the citizenship of all inhabitants. This was a radical proposal; because indigenous Mexicans were look at as inferior before would not be citizens like everyone else. The radicalness of that proposal gave Iturbide the power to gain an alliance with Vicente Guerrero, who was followed Hidalgo’s teachings. He was a man for the poor and it gave Iturbide credibility with the poor.
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