Spanish War of Independence

Spanish War of Independence confronted Spain, with the help of United Kingdom and Portugal, with the French Empire, commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte.

It took place from 1808 to 1814 and it was at the same time an international conflict, because different countries took part in it, but also a civil war, where supporters of Napoleon, the Frenchified, faced the opponents of the occupation.

The War of Independence is important for Spain, because:

1. It was the first time in modern history that a King was dethroned in Spain.

2. It was the first time Spain was invaded since 711.

3. It was the people who rose up against the Napoleonic invasion.

4. It represented nearly the destruction of Spain, but they managed to expel the invader.

5. At the same time the American colonies revolted against Spain, and due to the economic crisis after the war, ending years later with the lost of the last colonies.

CHARACTERS

The process of the War of Independence in Spain can be followed through Benito Perez Galdos’ books, the “National Episodes”. National Episodes are a set of 10 novels, all of them with the same main character, Gabriel, who is 82 years old at the moment he explains the story, and following the process of the War of Independence:

1. Trafalgar. It is set in the Battle of Trafalgar, 21^st October 1805. At the age of 14, Gabriel Araceli sets of board of the Santisima Trinidad with his master Don Alonso and he takes part in the battle at the Cape of Trafalgar. The most part of the novel is set around the date of the Battle.

To understand the historical set of the novel, we must know that at that moment, Europe was divided as a consequence of the spread of Napoleon’s troupes. Different countries allied themselves to try to defeat the Emperor. For example: United Kingdom, Austria, Russia, Naples and Sweden. Spain allied France to face the common enemy: England. This way, Spain sent their ships, but they were defeated by the English ships commanded by Admiral Nelson.

2. The court of Charles IV. It is set in autumn 1807. Gabriel is now settled in Madrid and works for countess Amaranta. He fells in love with Ines. With this novel, we make an idea about the politic instability of that time, we met some of the characters in the court of Charles IV, such as King Charles IV, his son Ferdinand VII or Manuel Godoy among others. The reign of Charles IV coincided with an historical event: The French Revolution, making the liberal ideas to bring the Old Regime, but also coincided in time with the spread of Napoleon’s troupes through most of Europe.

It is important to know that Spain took part in the Convention War at the end of the 18^th Century, against France, who won it. With the Peace of Basilea, 1795, Charles IV gave Godoy the title of Prince of Peace, not having to make a mistake with the Prince of Asturias, who was Ferdinand VII. In 1807 it was also signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau. This Treaty, signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Godoy’s representatives, agreed to divide Portugal between France, Spain and Godoy, allowing the French armies to enter in Spain, invading it at the same time. This was the event that made the people to be unhappy and created the atmosphere that give raise to the war.

3. 19^th March and 2^nd May. It is set in the events taking part at both dates. 17 years old Gabriel works now at a printing of Diario de Madrid. His girlfriend Ines is in Aranjuez with his uncle Celestino, but some relatives take her to Madrid where she is forced to stay. Gabriel tries to rescue her, leaving his job and entering as a servant at these relatives’ house. At that time, the uprising of 2^nd and 3^rd May take part.

Two are the main events taking place: The Mutiny of Aranjuez and the Uprising of the 2^nd May.

Because of the Treaty of Fontainebleau, the atmosphere of fear, distrust and uncertainty extended through the people, who considered Godoy was responsible of it. On 18^th March 1080, a Mutiny took place in Aranjuez, where the King and Queen lived, pretending the destitution of Godoy and the abdication of the King in his son.

Popular outrage broke out again in Madrid as one of the worst events in history: The uprising of 2^nd May, where all the people raised against the French army. The mutineers failed and were harshly repressed.

4. Bailen. It is set in the Battle of Bailen, 19^th July 1808. After miraculously surviving the 3^rd May executions, Gabriel recovers himself at Juan de Dios’ house, but he travels later with Andresillo Marijuan and Luis de Santorcaz to Andalusia. In Bailen, Jaen, he fights as a soldier in the Battle against the French army invading Spain. The Spanish army won. This Battle took place at the beginning of the Spanish War of Independence and was the first Spanish victory against Napoleon’s Army in Europe.

On 20^th July 1808, just one day after the Battle, Joseph I Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother and King of Spain between 6^th June 1808n and 11^th December 1813, arrived to Madrid. After the army losing the Battle, he escaped to Burgos, Miranda de Ebro and finally to Vitoria on 22^nd September.

5. Napoleon in Chamartin. It is set in Autumn 1808. After fighting in Bailen, Gabriel come back to Madrid. Ines, lives with her mother at the court, where she is not totally adapted. She had been made believe that Gabriel died, and she is extremely sad. They are planning to marry her with Diego de Rumblar. Gabriel tries to find her.

After the Battle in Bailen, Napoleon decided to come to Spain with the Grande Armée, an Army of 250000 soldiers who defeated the Spanish people in several Battles. People failed in panic, because they had no arms, no people to fight, and the way they resisted was thanks to guerrillas. On 10^th and 11^th November, there was a battle in Espinosa de los Monteros, and days later in Somosierra. Both battles were won by French army.

6. Zaragoza. It is set during the second Siege of the city of Zaragoza (21^st December 1808 to 21^st February 1809). After scaping from Frenchs, Gabriel joins the army commanded by Palafox to defend the city of Zaragoza during the second siege. In the novel, it is possible to understand how terrible the siege was, the bombings, the numerous deaths, the famine, the epidemies and the devasting state in which the city was left.

7. Gerona. It is set during the siege of Gerona (6^th May – 10^th December 1809). Here, the role of Gabriel is not so important, because it is his friend Andresillo Marijuan the main character. Andresillo defends the city during the siege that lasted 7 months. As in the previous chapter, we can see through the novel the consequences for the city and both for soldiers and civil population.

During 1808, Gerona resisted to two sieges. During this third episode, more than 18000 French soldiers tried to make the city give up. But the 5600 inhabitants of the city, fought against the armies, famine and illnesses. Finally, the city was forced to surrender, after more than 25000 deaths, 10000 in the Spanish army, and 15000 in the French one.

8. Cadiz. It is set in February 1810 to May 1811. In this chapter, the pass from absolutism to liberalism thanks to the first Spanish Constitution, the Constitution of Cadiz, is reflected. Gabriel, Ines and her family are in Cadiz at that moment. There, they can be witnesses of the first court sessions.

Because of the beginning of the War of Independence in spring 1808, Spanish population asked for defence against the French invasion. This way, Weapons and Defence Boards, local at the beginning, provincial later, arose. Finally, they transformed into the Supreme Central Board, created on 25^th September in Aranjuez. In 1810, this Supreme Central Board moved southwards escaping from Napoleon’s army, installing itself finally in Cadiz, the only city resisting to the invader. There, the first session of the General Courts took place.

10. The Battle of Arapiles. It is set in the Battle of Arapiles, 22^nd July 1812. Gabriel takes part, close to the English and Portuguese armies, in the Battle of the Arapiles, between Arapiles el Chico and Arapiles el Grande, where the Allied army defeated the French one. Gabriel leaves the guerrilla group and joins the army in Extremadura, even when later he will move, following Lord Wellington to the city of Salamanca, invaded by Frenchs. In this city, he tries to find Ines. The Battle of Arapiles was one of the fiercest brawls during the Spanish Independence War. The result was the victory of the Allied army, but there were a lot of deaths in both armies, mainly among English, Portuguese and French soldiers. From that Battle, the War started to change, and French armies couldn’t face as previously the Spanish resistance. Napoleon had to send a lot of soldiers to Russia, and it was difficult to maintain both wars at the same time. So, he decided to end the War in Spain, and at the end of 1813, the French army started to abandon the Iberian Peninsula.