Summary of "Sem9Unidad6"

Summary of “Sem9Unidad6” Video

This video lecture focuses on the constitutional organization process in 19th-century Argentina, specifically the period from 1820 to 1851. It covers the emergence of provincial sovereignties, the struggles between federalism and unitarianism, and the development of the Argentine Confederation.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Historical Context (1820-1851)

The political crisis of 1820 ended the Tucumán Congress and dissolved the intendency regime.
The 1819 Constitution was rejected mainly for its centralist nature.
Provinces emerged as political subjects with relative sovereignty and independence—not absolute but with a vocation toward unity.

Provincial Sovereignties and Argentine Confederation

Provinces considered themselves sovereign and independent but aimed to unify into a single state.
The Argentine Confederation was a de facto political structure without a formal constitution initially.
Three main mechanisms consolidated provincial sovereignty and the confederation:
1. Interprovincial Pacts: Mutual recognition of sovereignty and unity aspirations, notably the Federal Pact of 1831.
2. Provincial Constitutions: Documents (sometimes called statutes or regulations) incorporating liberal ideals like separation of powers and rights, but also recognizing Catholicism as the state religion.
3. Management of Foreign Relations: From 1820, the governor of Buenos Aires was entrusted with foreign affairs, reflecting a minimal central government typical of confederations, modeled after the early U.S. Articles of Confederation.

Key Historical Developments

Between 1820 and 1824, provinces organized internally; Buenos Aires underwent modernization under Martín Rodríguez and Bernardino Rivadavia.
A Constituent Congress in Buenos Aires (1824-1827) showed parity between Unitarian and Federalist ideas.
The Fundamental Law of 1825 was enacted to maintain unity and regulate relations temporarily, inspired by the U.S. Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution of 1826 established a unitary republican government with provincial governors dependent on the president, but it was rejected by provinces, leading to Rivadavia’s resignation and the constitution’s annulment.

Conflict and Federal Pact of 1831

After the failure of the 1826 Constitution and the war with Brazil, internal conflict intensified between Unitarians and Federalists.
The Federal Pact (1831) was signed by Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, and Corrientes as a defensive alliance.
Key features of the Federal Pact:
- Creation of a representative commission with powers similar to foreign relations management.
- Invitation to other provinces to join freely and peacefully to form a general federative congress.
- Emphasis on sovereignty, freedom, and independence of each province.
By 1834, all provinces adhered to the Federal Pact, making it the normative foundation of the Confederation and solidifying federalism as the only acceptable constitutional form.

Delay in Constitution Formation

Despite adherence to the Federal Pact, no constitution was sanctioned until 1853.
Juan Manuel de Rosas, a key political figure, opposed convening a Constituent Congress, arguing that internal disorder in provinces made a general government premature.
Rosas effectively postponed constitutional development while managing foreign relations and political power.

Upcoming Topics

The next session will cover the Generation of 1837 and the federal ideas behind the 1853 Constitution.

Methodology / Instructions Presented

Study the timeline from 1820 to 1851 to understand the sequence of political events.
Analyze interprovincial pacts, especially the Federal Pact of 1831, focusing on clauses 15 and 16.
Examine provincial constitutions/statutes to identify liberal and traditional elements.
Understand the role of foreign relations management as a minimal government function in the confederation.
Review the Fundamental Law of 1825 and the Constitution of 1826 to grasp the shift from federalism to unitarianism and its rejection.
Reflect on the political strategy of Juan Manuel de Rosas regarding constitutional delay.
For the practical work, engage with texts by Alejandro Agüero and Ezequiel Abásolo to synthesize the evolving meanings of “province” from the Indian period to the mid-19th century.

Speakers / Sources Featured

Narrator / Lecturer: Unnamed presenter providing historical analysis.
Referenced Authors:
- Abelardo Levasi (on the relative meaning of sovereignty and independence)
- Alejandro Agüero (on provincial constitutions)
- Ezequiel Abásolo (texts used for practical work)
Historical Figures Mentioned:
- Martín Rodríguez (Governor of Buenos Aires)
- Bernardino Rivadavia (Minister of Government, Unitarian leader)
- Juan Manuel de Rosas (Governor of Buenos Aires, key federalist figure)
- General Paz (Leader of the Unitarian League)
- Hacienda Figueroa (Author of a letter explaining Rosas’ position)

This summary encapsulates the political and constitutional dynamics in early 19th-century Argentina, highlighting the tension between federalism and unitarianism, the emergence of provincial sovereignty, and the foundational role of the Federal Pact of 1831 in shaping the Argentine Confederation.