Throughout the 19th century Spain made treaties of peace and recognition with each of the states established from its former colonies in Spanish America. The process was long drawn out, only being completed in 1904.

Background After the Cortes of Cádizwhich served as a parliamentary Regency after Ferdinand VII was deposedwas established in 1810, many Spanish Empire territories decided to declare independence. When Ferdinand VII returned to the throne, he refused to accept these declarations and promised that he would retake all the territories, by force if necessary. There were diplomatic negotiations during the Trienio Liberal (1820-1823) but they were quashed by the return of absolutism. Ferdinand VII died in 1833, ending all military projects to reconquer Spanish America. In 1834 the Regnant Queen Isabella II of Spain decided that times had changed, that a more modern approach was needed, and started consulting other members of her government. On December 16, 1836 the Congress of Spain issued a decree authorizing the Spanish Government to renounce its territorial and sovereign claims over its domains in continental Americas, by concluding treaties with each of the states of Spanish America. Throughout the 19th century Spain made treaties of peace and recognition with each of newborn states. The process was less conflictive than the government thought, but several diplomatic hurdles meant that 68 years passed until the last treaty was signed.

Chronology

The table lists the signing dates, not the ratification dates.

+ Treaties to recognise the Spanish American independence Year Date Country Hispanic Americans Spain 1837 November 14 Mexico President José Justo Corroplenipotentiary Miguel Santa María Queen María Cristina de Borbón, Queen consort of Spain, widow of Fernando VIIplenipotentiary José María Calatrava 1841 Ecuador President Juan José Floresplenipotentiary Pedro Gual Queen María Cristina de Borbón, Queen consort of Spain, widow of Fernando VIIplenipotentiary Evaristo Pérez de Castro 1845 Chile President Manuel Bulnesplenipotentiary José Manuel Borgoño Queen Isabella II of Spainplenipotentiary Luis González Bravo 1846 Venezuela President Carlos Soubletteplenipotentiary Alejo Fortique Queen Isabella II of Spainplenipotentiary Ramón María NarváezPlenipotentiary Francisco Martínez de la Rosa 1850 Costa Rica President Juan Rafael Mora Porrasplenipotentiary Felipe Molina Queen Isabella II of SpainCabinet council Ramón María Narváezplenipotentiary Pedro José Pidal 1851 Nicaragua Presidente Norberto Ramírezplenipotentiary José de Marcoleta Queen Isabella II of Spaincabinet council Ramón María Narváezplenipotentiary Pedro José Pidal 1855 Dominican Republic President Ignacio María Gonzálezplenipotentiary Manuel Joaquín Delmonte President del Poder Ejecutivo de la República Española Francisco SerranoPresidente del Consejo de Ministros Práxedes Mateo Sagastaplenipotentiary Juan Gutiérrez de la Concha 1861 FebruarySigned in July 21, 1847, but internal instability in Bolivia prevented its ratification until 1861 Bolivia President José Balliviánplenipotentiary José María Linares Queen Isabella II of Spainplenipotentiary Joaquín Francisco Pacheco 1864 Guatemala President Rafael Carrera y Turciosplenipotentiary Felipe del Barrio Larrazábal Queen Isabella II of SpainCabinet Council and plenipotentiary Manuel Pando Fernández de Pinedo 1863 September 21First peace treaty in June 24, 1829, followed by a distancing. In 1845 Spain tried to reestablish relationships, but was unsuccessful until April 29, 1857 when they signed a peace treaty and a consular treaty. They were modified with a July 9, 1959 treaty. Disagreements between the Argentine Confederation and Buenos Aires prompted new negotiations, and normal relationship were not established until the 1863 treaty (Pereira, 2004) Argentina President Bartolomé Mitreplenipotentiary Mariano Balcarce Queen Isabella II of Spainplenipotentiary Manuel Pando Fernández de Pinedo 1866 El Salvador President Francisco Dueñasplenipotentiary Juan Víctor Herrán Queen Isabella II of SpainPresidente del Consejo de Ministros Leopoldo O'Donnellplenipotentiary Manuel Bermúdez de Castro y Díez 1879 August 14A preliminary peace treaty had been signed in January 27, 1867 (Pereira, 2004) Peru President Mariano Ignacio Pradoplenipotentiary Juan Mariano de Goyeneche y Gamio King Alfonso XII of SpainPresidente del Consejo de Ministros Arsenio Martínez-Camposplenipotentiary El I marqués de Molins 1881 Colombia Presidente Rafael NúñezChancellor and plenipotentiary Luis Carlos Rico King Alfonso XII of SpainPresidente del Consejo de Ministros Antonio Cánovas del Castilloplenipotentiary El I marqués de Molins 1882 Paraguay asked that part of an article was removed, it referred to the reclamations of the subjects of both states. (Pereira, 2004) Paraguay President Cándido Bareiroplenipotentiary Carlos Saguier King Alfonso XII of SpainPresidente del Consejo de Ministros Antonio Cánovas del Castilloplenipotentiary Francisco Otín y Mesía 1882 A treaty was signed in 1841, but it was not ratified and it caused great instability. A new treaty was signed in March 26, 1845, but was replaced by a new treaty in 1846. In June 25, 1870 a consular treaty was signed. In July 19, 1870 the definitive treaty was signed, but it was not ratified until 1882. (Pereira, 2004) Uruguay President Lorenzo Batlleplenipotentiary Adolfo Rodríguez Regente del Reino Francisco SerranoPresidente del Consejo de Ministros Juan Primplenipotentiary Carlos Creus y Camps 1894 November 17 Honduras Presidente Policarpo Bonillaplenipotentiary José Diego Gámez Regente Maria Christina of Austria Queen consort of Spain Presidente del Consejo de Ministros Práxedes Mateo Sagastaplenipotentiary Julio de Arellano 1903 Cuba Spanish possession until the Spanish–American War. It remained under the control of the United States until May 1902, when it became independent. Diplomatic relationships were established, but no formal treaty was signed. 1904 May 10Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903. This is the date of the recognition of Panama by Spain. (Pereira, 2004) Panama King Alfonso XIII of SpainPresident of Cabinet Council Antonio Maura

Notes

References

es:Guerras de independencia hispanoamericanas#Negociaciones de paz y reconciliación: Tratados de Paz, amistad y reconocimiento