Napoleon's Invasion of Spain: The Fatal Error of the Peninsular War
From 1808 to 1814, the French invasion of Spain resulted in a guerrilla conflict that significantly weakened French resources and played a role in Napoleon's eventual defeat. The conflict began when Portugal rejected the Continental System, prompting French troops led by General Jean-Andoche Junot to capture Lisbon, which forced the royal family to escape to Brazil. Napoleon's involvement in the Spanish succession resulted in the Abdications of Bayonne in May 1808, installing Joseph Bonaparte as king. This action triggered the Dos de Mayo uprising, which was suppressed by Joachim Murat, leading to widespread rebellion. Spanish forces triumphed over General Pierre Dupont at Bailén in July 1808. Britain, under Arthur Wellesley, intervened, achieving victories at Vimeiro in 1808 and Talavera in 1809. The French grip on Iberia was finally broken with the Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813.
Key facts
- Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808 to enforce the Continental System against Britain.
- Portugal's refusal to comply with the Continental System triggered the invasion.
- The Abdications of Bayonne forced Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to abdicate.
- Joseph Bonaparte was installed as King of Spain in July 1808.
- The Dos de Mayo uprising in Madrid on May 2, 1808, sparked the Peninsular War.
- General Pierre Dupont surrendered 17,000 men at Bailén on July 19, 1808.
- Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) led Anglo-Portuguese forces to victory at Vimeiro (1808) and Talavera (1809).
- The Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813, ended French occupation of Spain.
- France had 250,000-300,000 troops in Spain, but only 70,000 were available for field operations.
- The war drained manpower needed for Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812.
Entities
Artists
- Francisco Goya
- John Augustus Atkinson
- José Casado del Alisal
- William Heath
Institutions
- Museo del Prado
- Wikimedia Commons
- City Library of Toulouse
Locations
- Spain
- Portugal
- France
- Lisbon
- Brazil
- Madrid
- Bayonne
- Bailén
- Andalusia
- Seville
- Cadiz
- Ebro River
- Salamanca
- Burgos
- Vitoria
- Pyrenees
- Russia
- Toulouse