The Contested Peruvian Election of 1850 and the 1854 Revolution

The 1850 election was a crucial moment for politics in Peru. It showed how much liberalism had been radicalized in the twenty-five years after independence. Peruvians had been holding elections since 1812. The Cádiz constitutional model for indirect elections with three rounds was gradually adapted to the new realities of the independent nation. In Peru, elections took place even in times of acute disruption. Elections were also common after revolutions, to provide legitimacy to their winner. The franchise included most adult men and literacy requirements were waived, but no one was under any illusion that these elections were particularly democratic. At mid-century, however, a new generation of men entered the world of politics; their demands on the electoral system grew. They considered that el pueblo and artisans should be included in the debate. The elections of 1850 also highlighted the importance of patronage and state support in obtaining ultimate victory.