THE WAR OF THE FIVE KINGS FREE

Spain had been allied with France against the United Kingdom since the Second Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1796. The war on the peninsula lasted 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. The war started when French and Spanish armies invaded and occupied Portugal in 1807, and escalated in 1808 when France turned on Spain, its ally until then. The Peninsular War (1807вЂ“14) was a military conflict between NapoleonвЂ™s empire and the allied powers of Spain, Britain, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The Peninsular War and the Crisis in Spain The term literally means вЂњunionвЂќ and often refers to the army, navy, and air force commanders taking over the power of the president, prime minister, king, or other non-military leader.

In English, it predominantly refers to the government of an authoritarian state run by high-ranking officers of a military. juntas: A Spanish and Portuguese term for a civil deliberative or administrative council.This constitution, one of the most liberal of its time, was effectively SpainвЂ™s first.

THE WAR OF THE FIVE KINGS FREE

It established the principles of universal male suffrage, national sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, and freedom of the press, and supported land reform and free enterprise.

Spanish Constitution of 1812: Established on March 19, 1812, by the CГЎdiz Cortes, SpainвЂ™s first national sovereign assembly.

Peninsular War: A military conflict between NapoleonвЂ™s empire and the allied powers of Spain, Britain, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars.

Some of these were loyal to Charles IVвЂ™s son, Ferdinand VII, and some pushed for independence, which was achieved in 1821.

This crisis also resulted in a shift in leadership over the colonies in the Americas, where juntas were also set up.

A number of juntas (councils) were set up Spain to fill the power vacuum and lead the charge against the French.

Numerous revolts occurred throughout Spain in response, causing confusion and crisis.

Napoleon forced the abdication of the Spanish king, Charles IV, and replaced him with his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, who ruled Spain for five years.

In 1808, a year after Napoleon invaded Portugal, the French turned on Spain, a previous ally, which led to a political crisis.

Events in Spain during the Peninsular War had profound effects on Spanish America, leading to numerous successful independence movements.

The war of the five kings