The War of Spanish Independence and the American issue

Abstract

The article analyzes the relations between Spain and the provinces of America during the War of Independence and the image created between both territories. The social and political reality of the American provinces is reflected in the Memorial de Agravios (1809) and the Representación de la Diputación Americana (1811). The Courts disregarded to discuss some key issues such as the political representation, freedom of trade and the reform of the tax system, what led to the frustration of the hope in the Constitution of 1812 as the peaceful solution of the American insurrection.