The “American Question” at the Cortes of Madrid

Abstract

It is well known that the American question is one of the most important, not only for those countries, but for all of Europe as well, and it is one that will perhaps contribute most to her future prosperity. All of us, the overseas deputies as well as the Europeans, have regarded this question as very serious from its inception; but our esteemed American deputies know full well that the excessive zeal of some of their colleagues has done more to prejudice than to favor their cause; and if we choose to anticipate this question before the time is ripe, I believe that it will only preoccupy and irritate minds, and the result may be less favorable for America and for Europe.Conde de Toreno, October 26, 1821.The Riego Revolt of January 1, 1820 awakened hopes in much of the Spanish-speaking world that constitutionalism might again speed up the process of modernization. A few days later, King Ferdinand VII reinstated the Constitution of 1812, the “Niña Bonita” of the Cádiz years. Asking his overseas subjects to take the oath to the Constitution, he likewise urged them to participate in the impending parliamentary elections. He announced an amnesty for the insurgents in the Americas and assured everyone that all would be forgotten. The Spanish government was less disposed to welcome back the hated afrancesados, who had collaborated with the French invaders. Such vindictiveness, of course, incited political anarchy throughout Spain. The economic weakness of the Peninsula, plus the financial drain of war overseas, further heightened national chaos. These were indeed troublesome years for Spain and her second constitutional experiment. Prospects for reconciliation with American dissidents were not at all promising. If peace could not be restored in America, what action was Spain prepared to take? Would she accept the inevitable—the Independence of the Americas? These were some of the questions that tormented Spanish leaders in Madrid. Other Europeans, keenly interested in the developments taking place in Spain and America, appreciated their economic and international significance. The fate of European liberalism was also at stake.