Abstract EN:

This thesis demonstrates some features of the history of discursive rhetoric in new spain, between the mid-eighteenth century and the end of the colonial period, including the first years of mexico's independence, during the first mexican federal republic. With reference to the colonial period, the model of discursive rhetoric analyzed is that of the sermon, in its diverse forms, including panegyric, funeral, moral and thanksgiving, etc, as well as religious talks. In the section dedicated to mexican independence, the rhetoric related to civic commemorations of national independence has been chosen. In addition to a general summary and classification of all of the rhetorical production from the colonial era, some 100 examples of oratory, sermons and speeches are analyzed, in their relationship to the evolution of various doctrines within catholicism. The thesis emphasizes the importance of, first, the transition of the sermon from the baroque style to the neoclassical or modern style; second, the developing role of the political sermon, especially from the time of the french revolution; and finally, the transformation of the political sermon into civic speech.