Carlos IV’s Reign and the Spanish War of Independence
The End of Carlos IV’s Reign
When the French Revolution broke out and Louis XVI was executed, Spain, like other European monarchies, declared war on France. Spain was defeated and had to sign the Treaties of San Ildefonso in 1796 and 1800. These treaties made Spain and France allies against the British Empire.
In 1805, the Anglo-Portuguese alliance was reinforced by the defeat of Spain and France in the naval Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon wanted to occupy Portugal in order to weaken the British position. Manuel Godoy, Carlos IV’s prime minister, signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau with France, which allowed French troops to cross Spain on their way to Portugal.
The War of Independence
In Spain, many people considered that Joseph, who became José I, was not the legitimate monarch. This led to a popular uprising on 2nd May 1808 in Madrid, followed by further uprisings across Spain.
These marked the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence. The Spanish population divided into afrancesados, who recognised José I as king, and fernandinos, who were loyal to Fernando VII.
It was a long, bitter conflict. The French army was better equipped and trained, but the Spanish guerillas attacked them continuously. There were three stages in the war:
- Up to late 1808
The End of Carlos IV’s Reign
When the French Revolution broke out and Louis XVI was executed, Spain, like other European monarchies, declared war on France. Spain was defeated and had to sign the Treaties of San Ildefonso in 1796 and 1800. These treaties made Spain and France allies against the British Empire.
In 1805, the Anglo-Portuguese alliance was reinforced by the defeat of Spain and France in the naval Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon wanted to occupy Portugal in order to weaken the British position. Manuel Godoy, Carlos IV’s prime minister, signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau with France, which allowed French troops to cross Spain on their way to Portugal.
The War of Independence
In Spain, many people considered that Joseph, who became José I, was not the legitimate monarch. This led to a popular uprising on 2nd May 1808 in Madrid, followed by further uprisings across Spain.
These marked the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence. The Spanish population divided into afrancesados, who recognised José I as king, and fernandinos, who were loyal to Fernando VII.
It was a long, bitter conflict. The French army was better equipped and trained, but the Spanish guerillas attacked them continuously. There were three stages in the war:
- Up to late 1808