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Popular sovereignty was transformative for the political and social processes sparked by the Independence revolutions by establishing the principles of democratic government with the foundation of a new nation, in which the people and their elected leaders were charged with creating a constitution. This idea became entrenched in Latin America as the basis for modern political systems. Popular sovereignty also transformed ordinary life by creating an enduring Republic with citizens’ rights and an armed citizenry (Sabato 100). In addition, the revolutions in Latin America resulted in the abolition of slavery and the achievement of independence. Revolutions of independence in Latin America based on the concept of popular sovereignty were not fought between monarchists and republicans but between royalists and patriots (Sabato 110). Popular sovereignty was transformative in terms of political and social processes sparked by the revolution of independence since it acted as a foundation for the declaration of independence, enabling the Mexican government to exist to serve the people and elected representatives to express the people’s will.
In terms of political processes, the shift from Spanish colonial rule to independent states resulted in a free press, free speech, and expanded suffrage (among other things). Whereby citizens gained greater political rights and responsibilities. For the 1824 Constitution of Mexico, the Federal Republic of Mexico recognized the principle of popular sovereignty, or the right to abolish their government at any time. The Mexican constitution was based on the “Declaration of Independence of North America”, this declaration asserted that governments are created by the consent of citizens and may be replaced as soon as they contravene their interests (Sabato 200). Thus, through the concept of popular sovereignty, the Mexican Constitution was recognized as an important influence on revolutionary since it was the first constitution to recognize popular sovereignty and, therefore, the end of any hereditary claim to power by a monarch or ruling class.
In terms of social processes, there was increased racial equality and freedom of movement. Not only were people of European ancestry allowed to join Latin American societies, but also those from other places, such as indigenous peoples and Africans. During the independence period, sections of the population were politically and socially marginalized. Most of these groups consisted of people of African descent (mainly from Latin America), indigenous peoples, and mixed-race people who arrived from Spain after 1550 (Sabato 210). Therefore, the debates on whether or not to abolish slavery (and it was postponed in Spain) became part of the debate surrounding the independence process because of the concept of popular sovereignty.
In summary, the concept of popular sovereignty transformed the political and social processes in Latin America as well as the lives of ordinary people. Latin American commentators and others worldwide began to invoke the concept after 1810, whereby they started advocating for change in abolishing slavery locally, nationally, and internationally. Creating a new nation meant their governments and citizens had to create a new Constitution. Therefore, it can be said that the concept of popular sovereignty paved the way for social and political change during the independence period in Latin America. It provided a powerful ideological justification for the overthrow of Spanish rule. Finally, this concept established an enduring Republic by granting citizens’ rights and allowing them to own guns.
Work Cited
Sabato, Hilda. Republics of the new world: The Revolutionary political experiment in nineteenth-century Latin America. Princeton University Press, 2018.
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