Impact of the decree on freedom of the press of the Cortes of Cádiz on the New Spain periodical press (1810-1820)

Abstract

This article analyzes some debates and critical positions of certain newspapers in the second decade of the nineteenth century in relation to the decree of freedom of the press of the Cortes de Cádiz, enacted in November 1810. It also shows the different discursive strategies and literate positionings (both of publicists, editors and contributors) adopted by some newspapers in Mexico City to question and explain to their readers the unprecedented situation that was being experienced. The newspapers' reading proposals on freedom of printing reveal key issues about the change of meaning of the concept of the American homeland and, specifically, of political sovereignty. It is observed that the American periodical press, and especially the New Spain press in Mexico City, acted as a source of reflection and modulation of a moment of political cleavage that was taking place in a context of fragmentation of the Spanish monarchy.