1812 Adoption of the first Spanish constitution

205 years ago, on March 19, 1812, the Spanish Cortes in Cadiz, besieged by the French, adopted the first constitution in the history of the country. She established a constitutional monarchy, where the legislative power belonged to the Cortes and the king, and the executive power to the king, who, however, did not have the right to dissolve the Cortes or delay the time of their convocation. Universal suffrage for men, freedom of the individual, inviolability of the home, freedom of the press and freedom of enterprise were proclaimed. Civil rights were recognized only for those who did not have an admixture of Negro blood. Agrarian reform was envisaged. In May 1814, King Ferdinand VII returned to the country and abolished the constitution.