The Peruvian Declaration of Independence: Freedom by Coercion
Peru launched its history as an independent state with one of the world's briefest and most direct Declarations of Independence. In Lima, on 15 July 1821, an open town council meeting (cabildo abierto) called especially to consider the question, declared: 'All the gentlemen present, for themselves and satisfied of the opinion of the inhabitants of the capital, said: That the general will is decided in favor of the Independence of Peru from Spanish domination, and that of whatever other foreign power . .' 1 People actually present in the chambers of the city council, in the corridors outside, and in the street below signed the Act there and then. Recognizing its importance as a watershed in their city's history, the cabildo then agreed to display the bound book of Acts containing the Declaration in the office of the cabildo secretary so that the public at large could further ratify it. The time for the collection of signatures was even extended, and in the end a total of 3,504 people signed.2