Spanish War of Independence: Causes, Key Events & Aftermath
The Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814)
In 1807, Napoleon decided to invade Portugal. By the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Godoy agreed to allow 80,000 French soldiers to enter Spain to occupy Portugal, with the promise of becoming king of southern Portugal. However, French regiments were stationed in cities like Galicia, Seville, and Catalonia, leading to conflicts with civilians.
At this time, the Spanish monarchy faced a severe crisis, marked by poor trade and bad harvests, exacerbated by the French presence.
It soon became clear that Napoleon’s troops were occupying Spain, not just passing through. Godoy, realizing this, planned to move the royal family to Andalusia, relocating the Court to Aranjuez. However, these plans were thwarted. On March 19, 1808, a popular riot, organized by supporters of Prince Ferdinand VII, erupted. The Mutiny of Aranjuez led to Godoy’s downfall and, more importantly, forced Charles IV to abdicate in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII.
Napoleon summoned Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to Bayonne. With both kings out of the country, French soldiers attempted to kidnap the children of Charles IV, sparking the May 2nd Uprising. This uprising began at the Puerta del Sol, where Joaquin Murat ordered the execution of anyone found with a weapon, leading to the shootings of May 3rd. This marked the beginning of the War of Independence.
Under Napoleon’s pressure, Ferdinand VII returned the throne to his father, Charles IV, who then ceded Spanish sovereignty to Napoleon. Napoleon then appointed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte (nicknamed “Pepe Botella”), as King of Spain. Joseph I issued the Statute of Bayonne, a charter granting some rights beyond absolutism.
The War’s Character
The War of Independence (1808-1814) was a war of national liberation and a civil war between Spaniards (patriots and pro-French). It was a brutal conflict. Following the events of May 2nd, local boards began to form, leading to the creation of Provincial Boards and then the Supreme Junta, which directed the war efforts and oversaw the provincial boards. The absent kings left command to the President of Castile, but the real military ruler was Murat.
Key Battles and Strategies
During this period, the Spanish achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Bailen (July 1808), defeating the French. Napoleon then deployed an army of 250,000 to secure Spanish sovereignty for his brother, succeeding at the Battle of Uclés. The war then entered a stage of siege and “guerrilla warfare,” where small groups inflicted heavy casualties on the French, killing an estimated 300,000 soldiers. Spanish assistance to Wellington further troubled Napoleon (Battle of Arapiles, Battle of Vitoria).
The End of the War
Following the disastrous Russian campaign, a weakened Napoleon returned the crown to Ferdinand VII through the Treaty of Valencay (December 1813). French troops withdrew from the country, bringing the bloody war to a close.