the peninsular war 1807 -1814

Question 1

overview

Answer 1

• 1807 - 1814
• Against Spain and Portugal
• Napoleon needed to control Spain and Portugal in order to enforce the continental blockage
• Portugal was a trading partner and an ally with Britain
• Led to his decision to undertake the peninsular war in 1807 which was a major feature in his downfall

Question 2

uprising in Portugal

Answer 2

• With the backing of 3 Spanish divisions and Charles IV king of Spain we successfully invades and subjugate Portugal in the November of 1807
• Junot appointed governor
• December 1807 - anti french riots in Lisbon
• Example of resistance
• Napoleon orders the use of unorthodox measures to put down these riots
• Overestimated the strength of his blockage and underestimated the power of his enemies
• August 1808 - Britain under Wesley defeated the french at Vimierom in Portugal
• The convention of Sinatra (30th august 1808) put an end to napoleon’s invasion of Portugal

Question 3

uprising in Spain

Answer 3

• Same time as attack on Portugal
• French satellite and allies since its defeat in 1795
• 1801 napoleon creates the kingdom of Spain (annexed)
• King of Spain Charles IV is forced to abdicate and is replaced with napoleon’s brother Joseph June 1808
• Led to widespread resistances
• Catholic clergy, nobility and Spain’s property owners and armed peasants joined juntas (resistance committees) who use guerrilla warfare
• Opposed concordant and civil code
• Spread throughout Spain, Portugal, Austrians and Italians
• March 1808 Murat entered Madrid to enforce french rule and suppress resistance
• May 1808 Murat suppressed a revolt by the people of Madrid by using unorthodox measures
• 100 Spaniards excited in relation for killing 31 french soldiers
• 20 July 1808 - guerrilla bands and regular soldiers combined to defeat the french army at Baylen
• Joseph abandoned Madrid and the french retreated to the north

Question 4

Peninsular war - napoleon’s generalship

Answer 4

• Napoleon himself went to Spain with 100 thousand veterans of the grande Armee
• December 1808 - he defeated the Spaniards and retook Madrid
• Able to assert french power in 1809 -1910
• But facing trouble from the Austrian army at the beginning of 1809 he had left Spain in the hands of Joseph and marshals and never returns
• Left leaders alone who had no insight into napoleon ways so are unable to govern without him

Question 5

The peninsular war - napoleon enemies

Answer 5

• The campaign dragged on and they proved superior
• Although the British had smaller forces
• French army of 100 thousand men with 35 thousand British backed by 30 to 50 thousand juntas
• Well supplied by the British navy
• possessed well trained musketeers
• British command effective under Wesley
• Widespread resistance
• Britain had support of local hit and run guerrilla forces
• French games of living off the land was thwarted by burning of crops and shelter
• June 1813 french army decisively beaten at may 1808 Murat suppressed a revolt by the people of Madrid by using unorthodox measures

Question 6

Peninsular war - significance

Answer 6

• Napoleon called it the Spanish ulcer
• Wastefully consumed french times troops and resources down to 1814
• Cost 3 billion francs
• ½ of 600 thousand troops killed
• Eroded Frances military prestige
• Repression in Spain eroded that he has somehow been representative to progress and enlightenment
• Resistances spread throughout Germany Austria
• Determination to enforce the Continental Blockade meant that he underestimated the sheer size of opposition in Spain
• Failed in its primary objective
• Value of British exports entering Europe through Portuguese ports doubles between 1808 and 1809 to £1 million by 1811 £6 million
• Access to Spanish markets in Europe and south america helped boost exports to £48 million in 1810 (from £38 million in 1808)