The Crisis of 1808 and the Spanish War of Independence

Background

The crisis of 1808 was a series of events that led to the exile of the Bourbon dynasty, the War of Independence, and the beginning of the Liberal Revolution in Spain. In 1795, Spain had opposed the French Revolution, culminating in the Peace of Basel. However, by 1805, Spain was involved in the Battle of Trafalgar and allied with Napoleon through the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1807.

These events led to increased military spending and higher taxes. The loss of the trade monopoly with America after the Peace of Basel and crop failures further plunged Spain into an economic crisis. The King's private life, particularly the actions of Godoy and Queen Maria Luisa of Parma, became a public scandal, damaging the prestige of the monarchy. This provoked widespread opposition from the nobility and the Church.

The Mutiny of Aranjuez and the Abdication of Charles IV

Fearing displacement by his son, Ferdinand, Godoy planned action against him. Dissatisfaction with the French army's conduct in Spain was also growing. In March 1808, the town of Aranjuez revolted, leading to Godoy's imprisonment and the abdication of Charles IV in favor of Ferdinand VII. However, Napoleon took advantage of the crisis, entering Spain and installing his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as King.

The War of Independence (1808-1814)

The War of Independence was a civil and international conflict that divided Spain. The patriots supported Ferdinand VII, with the backing of Britain and Portugal. The afrancesados supported Joseph I, with the support of France.

Following the Mutiny of Aranjuez, Napoleon summoned the royal family to Bayonne. On May 2, 1808, with only Charles IV's youngest son, Infante Francisco de Paula, remaining in Madrid, the people revolted against the French army to prevent the Infante from leaving the Royal Palace. The May 2nd uprising saw clashes between the people and the French army, with the authorities failing to support the people, who were massacred. Only a few military officers supported the uprising. The mayor of Móstoles was the first authority to declare war on the French.

Napoleon forced Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to renounce their rights to the Spanish throne in favor of himself, then appointed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as King Joseph I. The Spanish people were divided in their support for each candidate.

The war's initial stages saw patriot victories. However, by late 1808, Napoleon intervened, crushing the patriot armies. The French dominated most of the territory, while the patriot resistance resorted to guerrilla warfare. In 1812-1813, Napoleon withdrew troops from Spain for his invasion of Russia. The British army, led by General Wellington, attacked from Portugal, taking advantage of the French withdrawal.

Ferdinand VII and Napoleon signed a treaty allowing Ferdinand to return to the Spanish throne. However, each side attempted political change. The French side, with its intellectuals, nobles, and Joseph I, sought Enlightenment ideals and implemented the Statute of Bayonne. However, their dependence on the French army and its defeat prevented them from implementing lasting change.

Among the Patriots, there were absolutists, enlightened thinkers, and liberals. Resistance committees opposed the French, coordinating their efforts and eventually forming the Central Junta. The Junta took refuge in Cádiz, gained a majority in the Cortes, and established the 1812 Constitution, which introduced liberal reforms and led to the demise of the old regime. Spain's weakened state also contributed to the independence movements in its American colonies.

Aftermath

After the war, Ferdinand VII restored absolutism, ending the liberal revolution and nullifying the rights established by the Cortes of Cádiz.