THE AMERICANISATION OF LA PEPA

Abstract

Th is article explores the way in which the Cádiz constitution spread in Hispanic América, looking at the nature of the Constitution and its process of Americanisation. It has been argued that this diff usion did not happen. We argue an hypothesis that shows that it was the very nature of this constitution that allowed its Americanisation. Th e constitution was not only implemented, but had devastating eff ects for colonial rule. In the context of a crisis of the Spanish crown in the Americas, the Cádiz constitution led to a strengthening of indigenous societies, local institutions and the corporate logic of the old regime, articulated by the republics being established at the time. Cádiz did not eradicate the jurisdictional thinking of the past, but rather constitutionalised and reformulated it in new ways.