The Spanish War of Independence: Conflict, Resistance, and Societal Impact

The Popular Revolt and the Formation of Juntas

On May 2, 1808, as the royal family prepared to depart for Bayonne, a crowd gathered at the Royal Palace, attempting to prevent their departure. The ensuing revolt, though severely repressed by General Murat's troops, ignited a popular resistance movement aimed at halting the advance of the imperial forces.

In regions like Galicia and Andalusia, Juntas of arms and defense originated, formed in response to the Abdications of Bayonne. Initially, local Juntas (comprising clerics, soldiers, nobles, etc.) emerged. Shortly after, provincial Juntas assumed sovereignty in the absence of the king, declaring war on Napoleon with the support of Great Britain.

In September 1808, these Juntas sent representatives to Aranjuez to form a Central Junta, tasked with coordinating the fight and leading the country. The Central Junta later fled to Seville and then to Cadiz by 1810.

Resistance: Sieges and Guerrilla Warfare

The resilience of cities such as Girona, Zaragoza, and Tarragona, which endured prolonged sieges, pinned down a significant portion of the French army and impeded their advance. The decisive defeat at Bailén (following the looting of Córdoba) forced the French to retreat north of the Ebro River, leading Joseph I to temporarily abandon Madrid.

Napoleon subsequently prepared a counteroffensive with 250,000 troops, resulting in the reoccupation of Madrid by Joseph I in 1809, marking a period of direct French rule.

This era also saw the rise of the guerrillas, small local groups of 30 to 50 members, which eventually grew into a formidable force of up to 55,000 men. They attacked the French army by surprise, causing significant attrition and wear.

In 1812, Napoleon's war efforts shifted as he withdrew troops for the disastrous Russian campaign. This strategic change allowed the guerrillas and the army of British General Wellington to achieve a decisive victory at Arapiles (Salamanca). Ultimately, Joseph I definitively left Madrid, which was taken by Wellington on August 12.

Napoleon eventually negotiated an end to the war, agreeing to return Ferdinand VII to the Spanish throne through the Treaty of Valençay.

Social, Political, and Ideological Attitudes

A minority of Spaniards, known as Francophiles or Afrancesados, cooperated with the monarchy of Joseph I. At the war's end, many of them were forced into exile due to the persecution initiated by Ferdinand VII.

The majority of the Spanish population formed the Patriotic Front, which staunchly opposed the French invasion. Within this front, diverse viewpoints emerged:

• Most of the clergy and nobility desired the return of absolutism under Ferdinand VII.
• Some enlightened individuals sought reforms within the existing monarchical framework.
• Liberals viewed the war as a crucial opportunity to enact profound political and social changes, advocating for a constitutional monarchy.