The Dominican Republic's first constitution in 1844…

The Dominican Republic's first constitution in 1844 is a remarkably liberal document.

It is influenced directly by the Haitian constitution of 1843 and indirectly by the United States constitution of 1789, by the liberal 1812 Cadiz constitution of Spain, and by the French constitutions of 1799 and 1804.

Because of this inspiration, it calls for presidentialism, a separation of powers, and extensive "checks and balances."

However, Santana proceeds to emasculate the document by demanding the inclusion of Article 210, which grants him extraordinary powers "during the current war" against Haiti.