THE 1788 French Revolution changed Europe forever, with its ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. It marked the end of absolute monarchy and the reign of liberalism in the European continent. Napoleon Bonaparte’s occupation of Spain led the Spaniards to launch their War of Independence (Guerra de la Independencia) from 1808 to 1813. The 1812 Cadiz Constitution was the legacy of this war.
The 1812 Cadiz Constitution overhauled Spain and her colonies. The first written constitution of Spain, it established the principle that sovereignty resides in the nation, curbed absolute monarchy, the power of the nobility, and the church, abolished the Spanish inquisition, granted suffrage, expanded protection of individual rights, and abolished the obligations (tribute, personal services, etc) of Spain’s colonial subjects.
Hungary imbibed France’s and Spain’s liberal ideals. A colony of Austria, Hungary revolted on March 15, 1848. The Hungarian Diet then issued a series of laws, called the April Laws, which overhauled almost every aspect of Hungary’s socio-economic and political life. These laws created independent ministries of defense and finance, gave the right to the Hungarian government to issue its own currency; abolished corvee labor, entail, and tithes established the freedom of the press and assembly; and subjected nobles to taxation. Though Austria suppressed the liberal Hungarian government, the succeeding years saw the seeds of liberalism bloom in the hearts of the Hungarians. Hungary became an independent country in 1918.
The 1848 Hungarian Revolution is a significant event in the history of human rights. Like the 1808-1813 Spanish War of Independence, the 1848 Hungarian Revolution highlighted the fact that Liberty, Equality, and the Brotherhood of men are universal rights inherent in every human being.
"No rule by one nation over another lasts," Dr. Jose Rizal wrote the Spanish authorities in Madrid, echoing the ideals of Cadiz and Hungary. The Filipino people won their own freedom and government when General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898. Spanish historians acknowledge the links of this Philippine event with events in Europe when they called Cavite the "Cadiz of the Philippines."
The 1848 Hungarian Revolution, the 1812 Cadiz Constitution, the 1898 Proclamation of Philippine freedom – they are vital parts of the chain that unites all of humanity.
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