# Constitution of 1870 (25 November 1870)

URL: https://allhistories.com/paraguay/timeline/1870-constitution-of-1870
Location: Asunción, Capital District
Themes: Society

The Constitution of 1870, approved by the Constituent Convention on 18 November, is sworn on 25 November. Drafted largely by José Segundo Decoud and influenced by the Argentine and US constitutions, it establishes popular sovereignty, separation of powers, a bicameral Congress, a four-year presidency without immediate re-election, civil liberties and the abolition of slavery.

## Why it matters
Paraguay's first liberal constitution remained in force, with amendments, until 1940 and formally ended the era of dictatorship.

Ruler at the Time: [Cirilo Antonio Rivarola](https://allhistories.com/paraguay/rulers/cirilo-antonio-rivarola)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Constitution of Paraguay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Paraguay)
- [Wikipedia — José Segundo Decoud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Segundo_Decoud)
- [ABC Color – Convención Nacional Constituyente de 1870](https://www.abc.com.py/edicion-impresa/suplementos/escolar/convencion-nacional-constituyente-de-1870-1293266.html)
- [Wikipedia — The López Era & The Great War (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguayan_War)