Madrid Uprising and Start of Spanish War of Independence

The Madrid Uprising and Spanish War of Independence

This event marked the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence. It was the Revolt of the people of Madrid on the 2nd of May, 1808, who rose against the French occupation.

Following the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Napoleon’s troops were allowed to cross Spain to occupy Portugal. However, Napoleon took advantage of the treaty and occupied part of Spain. Subsequently, he attempted to move the Spanish royal family to Seville to protect them from the French troops, but this action caused a popular revolt known as the Revolt of Aranjuez.

At that moment, Spain had been a French ally after having previously fought against it and the French Revolution. But those years of alliance with France were over when Napoleon moved his father, Carlos IV, and his successor, Fernando VII, to Bayonne in 1808, and his troops occupied Spain. That is the reason why the people of Madrid were protesting in front of the royal palace.

On May 2, 1808, Madrid rose against the French occupation. Although this revolt failed, it served as an example to the rest of Spain, and the Spanish War of Independence began.

Napoleon's Foreign Policy and Domestic Changes

This invasion was another example of Napoleon’s foreign policy that helped make France an empire as a result of victories over Austria, Prussia, and Russia. Great Britain was the only country he never defeated.

In 1799, Napoleon took control of France and established the Consulate. His domestic policy consolidated the changes made during the revolution. He established the Civil Code, which was a set of laws that applied equally to all citizens.

Enlightenment Influence and Constitutionalism

This concept of equality is based on the Enlightenment (an intellectual movement and a new way of thinking that emerged in Europe in the 18th century, defending the ideas of equality, liberty, and the importance of reason and education). Napoleon spread the revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality and introduced liberal constitutions that ended absolute monarchy across Europe.

In 1804, Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France (Napoleon I).

Triumph of Liberal Principles

Supporters of Enlightenment ideas wanted to establish a constitutional monarchy with popular sovereignty and the division of powers. The Constitution of 1812 was a triumph for Enlightenment ideas because it established several of its principles, such as:

• Popular sovereignty with limited male suffrage.
• A constitutional monarchy.
• Separation of powers.
• Legislative and judicial powers.