Colombian Constitution of 1821

The Constitution of Cúcuta, also known as Constitution of the Gran Colombia and Constitution of 1821, was the founding document and constitution of the Republic of Colombia (historiographically called Gran Colombia), unifying the territories of the Viceroyalty of New Granada as part of a federation. It was signed during the Congress of Cúcuta on August 30, 1821.

Commemoration of the Constitution of Cúcuta

History

The Congress elected in Angostura reassembled in Cúcuta after the June 24, 1821 Battle of Carabobo, which gave independence to Venezuela. After liberating Caracas, Cartagena, Popayán and Santa Marta, on July 18, the Congress resumed efforts to draft a new Constitution to include the liberated regions. The final draft was approved on August 30, 1821, and expedited on July 12, 1822. The Constitution was structured into 10 chapters and 91 articles.

Historic church of Cúcuta, where the deputies of New Granada (Colombia) and Venezuela signed the Constitution

Simón Bolívar was elected President of the Republic, and Francisco de Paula Santander, Vice-President.

This is considered the first constitution of Colombia, and lasted until the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1831.

See also

• Gran Colombia
• Constitutional history of Venezuela

References

Bibliography

• Bushnell, David (1970). The Santander Regime in Gran Colombia. Westport: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-8371-2981-8
• Gibson, William Marion (1948). The Constitutions of Colombia. Durham: Duke University Press.

External links

Preceded by Constitution of Antioquia Constitution of Cartagena Constitution of Cundinamarca Constitution of Neiva Constitution of Mariquita	Constitutional history of Colombia, Constitution of Gran Colombia 1821–1830	Succeeded by Constitution of the Republic of Colombia of 1830 Constitution of New Granada of 1832
Preceded by Quiteña Constitution of 1812	Constitutional history of Ecuador, Constitution of Gran Colombia 1821–1830	Succeeded by Constitution of Ecuador of 1830
Preceded by Constitution of Venezuela of 1819	Constitutional history of Venezuela, Constitution of Gran Colombia 1821–1830	Succeeded by Constitution of Venezuela of 1830