The Manifesto of the Persians: A Defense of Absolutism in 1814 Spain
The Manifesto of the Persians: A Defense of Absolutism
Location
This text is an excerpt from the Manifesto of the Persians. Its origin as a primary source and its content as a political and doctrinal document make it historically significant. Dated April 12, 1814, it was authored by a group of 69 deputies who proposed to King Fernando VII the restoration of absolutism. This document is notable as the first instance in Spanish history where a collective body articulated their political ideas in writing. It was presented to King Fernando VII upon his return to Spain after the War of Independence.
Analysis
The text is called the “Manifesto of the Persians” because it draws a parallel with the ancient Persians, who experienced five days of anarchy after the death of their kings, which reinforced their loyalty to the new monarch. The absolutist deputies, drawing a parallel, tell Fernando VII that such a period of anarchy is unnecessary and urge him to restore absolutism and declare the Constitution of Cadiz null and void.
They presented several reasons for restoring absolutism:
- The divine origin of the monarchy.
- The right of conquest, supported by the willing submission of the first men who chose their kings.
They argued that, due to these reasons, the absolute monarch had the right to use his authority, but not unreasonably.
Context
Following the defeat of French troops at Vitoria and San Marcial in Irun, Fernando VII returned to Spain. Instead of proceeding directly to Madrid, he went to Valencia, where he received the support of army officials who presented him with the Manifesto of the Persians. Fernando’s cousin, Luis de Borbon, president of the Regency Council, also presented him with the Constitution of Cadiz, but Fernando declared it null and void. He garnered support from ordinary people, who encouraged him to restore absolutism.
The Constitution of Cadiz represented a triumph for liberals over absolutists. However, as the war against the French was still ongoing in Spain, the Constitution could not be fully implemented.
Interpretation
This document is named the “Manifesto of the Persians” because the ancient Persians justified absolutism as the only political system capable of preventing anarchy. The proposition to abolish the work of the Cadiz Cortes is linked to the triumph of liberal ideas within it. This signified the rise of a new political, social, and economic system, with limitations on the king’s powers, as the Constitution was based on national sovereignty.
The document strongly favors the Absolute Monarchy, which was supported by the clergy, the army hierarchy, most of the nobility, and a significant portion of the largely illiterate common people, who were easily influenced by the Church. The power of the Absolute Monarchy was believed to derive from God and was rooted in the right of conquest and the willing submission of the first men. The signatories of the Manifesto believed that the changes implemented in Cadiz would only lead Spain to anarchy and chaos, and that the only way to maintain peace and order was through Absolute Monarchy.
This Manifesto served as the instrument Fernando VII used to justify his refusal to sign the Constitution of Cadiz and to reinstate the Absolute Monarchy, along with the societal structure, seigneurial rights, and guilds. This had a detrimental effect on the country’s development and progress, as Absolutism proved incapable of resolving Spain’s severe economic problems. Consequently, Spain experienced a profound economic and financial decline. Furthermore, the independence of the American colonies resulted in the loss of a lucrative trade, exacerbating Spain’s economic depression.
The ideological confrontation between absolutists and liberals began during this period. Fernando VII persecuted, punished, imprisoned, and exiled many liberals. However, many of these individuals persisted, and with the help of liberal army officers, they continued their efforts until the Constitution of Cadiz was restored.
Conclusion
The text represents the justification for the restoration of the Absolute Monarchy under Fernando VII. Nevertheless, the Absolute Monarchy did not endure. Army officers, supported by intellectuals and the middle classes, restored liberalism through force via military pronunciamientos. By the time of Fernando VII’s death, absolutism was nearly eradicated, and the liberal state continued to strengthen over time.