Emancipation processes in Central America: civilize, educate, and instruct (1820–1821)

Abstract

On September 15, 1821, Central America declared independence from the Spanish Empire. Beforehand, periodicals "El Editor Constitucional" and "El Amigo de la Patria" circulated, shaping public opinion about the impending event. With this context, the present work seeks to examine the relevance of the commemoration of the date from the analysis of the enunciative role of moderate liberty. The result of this exercise shows a series of representations organized in a kind of intellectual hierarchy that intended to guide the political lines of the new process, always pointing to moderation as a civilizing element. This leads one to reflect on the sedimentation of moderate freedom and its effects prior to the celebrations of the Bicentennial of Independence by the Honduran population.