The War in Spain Flashcards
When was the Peninsula War and what was it?
1807–1814 - military conflict fought by Bourbon Spain and Portugal, assisted by the United Kingdom
Why were Spanish fortresses unsure of what to do?
Had not received instructions from the central government, they were unsure how to treat the French troops, who marched openly as allies with flags flying and bands announcing their arrival.
Who was lieutenant of French troops?
Joachim Murat - numbered between 60,000–100,000.
How did the war begin?
2 May, the citizens of Madrid rebelled against the French occupation; the uprising was put down by Joachim Murat’s elite Imperial Guard
What happened on the 3rd May?
French army shot hundreds of Madrid’s citizens. Similar reprisals occurred in other cities and continued for days.
What happened on the 6th May?
Ferdinand VII (Bourbon royal family) was forced to abdicate.
Who did Napoleon install on the throne?
Joseph Bonaparte
How long did the war last?
Until the Sixth Coalition defeated Napoleon in 1814, and is regarded as one of the first wars of national liberation, significant for the emergence of large-scale guerrilla warfare
What did the French sign after losing?
The Treaty of Paris, signed on 30 May 1814 - The treaty set the borders for France under the House of Bourbon and restored territories to other nations.
Why did the French lose?
Spanish guerrilla (‘little war’) tactics.
What organisation problems led to the French’s defeat?
communications and supplies were severely tested and their units were frequently isolated, harassed or overwhelmed by partisans fighting an intense guerrilla war of raids and ambushes.
What influence did the British have on the French defeat?
Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the 1st Duke of Wellington, guarded Portugal and campaigned against the French
