Napoleonic Occupation and the Statute of Bayonne

Resistance Against the French Invasion

Although emphasis has been placed on the popular origin of these movements, a notable part of the Old Regime also held positions defending the country against invading armies.

The spontaneous popular uprising surprised the French army, which could not occupy Valencia as a thoroughfare, offering an example of heroic resistance.

The Statute of Bayonne and the French Government

The French attempted to establish a political system in Spain by force, based on the principles of political liberalism with an authoritarian character, while respecting specific traditions of the country. This system was defined by the Statute of Bayonne, a charter granted because its establishment did not respond to a popular decision but to one imposed by power.

All powers were concentrated in the King, though there were three advisory bodies:

• The Senate
• The State Council
• The Courts

The novelty was that it included a declaration of rights and a series of liberal reforms, which resulted in an improvement over the Old Regime.

King Joseph I arrived in Madrid in 1808 with the task of launching this project. He was subordinated to Napoleon to the extent that the Statute of Bayonne specified that if he died without an heir, the throne would revert to the Emperor.

He tried to govern with the support of the enlightened Spanish and implement a plan to modernize the country. However, he soon realized that all his actions were subject to the requirements of Napoleon and that he lacked autonomy in government.

The Development of the Peninsular War

The occupation of Spain was not as fast as Napoleon believed. The Spanish victory at the Battle of Bailén forced King Joseph I to leave Madrid, and French troops withdrew to the north of the peninsula. Napoleon then sent an army of 150,000 men; in November, he took command of this force, and on December 2, he arrived in Madrid. King Joseph subsequently returned to the capital of the kingdom.

During this time, the Inquisition, the feudal system, and various convents were abolished.

Meanwhile, an English army commanded by Wellesley landed on the peninsula to help the Portuguese. The Spanish army collaborated closely with Wellington.

The French victory at Ocaña and their progress southward allowed Napoleon to occupy nearly all of Spain. During the period of 1810–1812, Napoleonic troops reached their peak control over Spanish soil.

In 1812, the Russian campaign led by Napoleon himself forced the Emperor to withdraw troops from Spain to focus on other areas of Europe, which was exploited by Wellington's Anglo-Spanish forces.