Political And Institutional Transformations In The Province Of Mendoza In The Early 19th Century: Changes And Continuities

Abstract

Changes during the first decade of the nineteenth century are
important to understand the basics of the origin and formation
of the provincial government in Mendoza. During this period
of revolution and independence the most significant political,
institutional and jurisdictional changes were originated; there
was a crisis in terms of dependence on higher authority and
also different forms of government and administration were
tested in the province.

We propose to show which political and institutional changes
produced in Mendoza during this revolutionary decade; specifically
we analyze the performance of General San Martin
the Governor Intendant of Cuyo, which was undoubtedly the
most important authority of these years. We check how subsequent
events led to the disintegration of the Interior Cuyo
Province and the formation of provinces as autonomous and
independent entities, not relegated to the Hispanic tradition
nor detached from the influence of the institutions established
during this period, preserved some Spanish institutions
inherited and in full exercise of their functions, who joined
new institutions created from the revolutionary process and
the growing and progressive influence of the rationalist and
republican ideas.

Keywords: Political institutions, changes, stability, government,
Mendoza.