Joseph Bonaparte’s Reign in Spain (1808-1813)
Joseph Bonaparte, older brother of French Emperor Napoleon I, reigned as Joseph I of Spain from 1808 to 1813 during the Peninsular War. Prior to this, Joseph ruled Naples from 1806 thanks to Napoleon’s influence. His political career ended long before his death in Florence, Italy, in July 1844.
The Cortes: Spain’s parliamentary assemblies, known as Cortes, have existed since the beginning of constitutionalism. In the Middle Ages and early modern period, these bodies were also referred to as Estates, representing different realms within the evolving Spanish state.
Bayonne: This city in southwestern France, situated at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers near the Bay of Biscay, played a crucial role in Spanish history. Part of the French Basque Country, Bayonne is known for its metallurgy and fishing industries. Its notable landmarks include a 13th-century cathedral and the nearby seaside resort of Biarritz. Originally called Lapurdum in Roman times, Bayonne became part of the French crown in 1451. Historical events in Bayonne include a meeting between Catherine de Medici, Charles IX, and the Duke of Alba in 1565, and, significantly, the 1808 meeting between Napoleon I and Spanish monarchs Charles IV and Ferdinand VII, where Ferdinand abdicated in favor of Napoleon, leading to Joseph Bonaparte’s appointment as King of Spain.
From the outset, Joseph’s position was precarious. The ongoing War of Independence hindered his ability to govern effectively, exacerbated by the autonomy of French generals and Napoleon’s continuous interventions.
The Royal Charter of Bayonne (July 1808) was a quasi-constitution granted by Joseph, reminiscent of charters issued during the Restoration era of absolutism. Although imitating constitutions, these charters served to regulate the monarch’s relationship with subjects in a semi-absolutist regime, granting limited freedoms and parliamentary participation. The Charter, which was never officially published due to the war, included provisions such as:
- Recognition of Roman Catholicism as the sole religion in all Spanish territories.
- Establishment of a national Cortes with 172 members.
- Implementation of unified civil and criminal legal codes for Spain and the Indies.
- Creation of a single commercial code for Spain and the Indies.
- Abolition of internal customs duties between provinces in Spain and the Indies.
- Establishment of a uniform tax system throughout the kingdom.
- A promise (unfulfilled) to establish freedom of the press within two years.
This charter, along with other modernizing measures (abolishing ministries and councils, ending seigneurial jurisdiction, dissolving the Inquisition, and reducing the number of convents), represented Joseph’s most significant policy initiatives.
Initially, Joseph enjoyed the support of a minority group of Francophile Spaniards, primarily from educated sectors of society. They believed that Bonaparte’s rule would prevent territorial disintegration, preserve national integrity and economic independence, and implement comprehensive reforms. However, after the war, they were labeled as traitors and forced into exile, along with their families.
The abdications at Bayonne and widespread rejection of Joseph Bonaparte led to a revolutionary act: the Spanish people assumed sovereignty. The establishment of juntas became the most visible manifestation of this. Acting in the name of the absent king, these local and provincial bodies derived their legitimacy from the people. Composed of prominent individuals, they emerged in numerous cities and regions.
In September 1808, the Central Junta was formed, representing 18 provincial juntas. Led initially by the Count of Floridablanca, a minister under the last two Bourbon kings, and including figures like Jovellanos, the Central Junta became the legitimate governing body. Relocating from Aranjuez to Seville and finally to Cadiz to escape the French advance, it directed the resistance, signed an alliance with Britain against Napoleon, and convened the Cortes of Cadiz. In late January 1810, the Central Junta dissolved itself, transferring power to a five-member Regency Council.