peninsular new

Question 1

When was the Peninsular War?

Answer 1

1807-1814. Against Spain and Portugal.

Question 2

Why was there a Peninsular War?

Answer 2

Napoleon needed to control Spain and Portugal to enforce the Continental Blockade. Portugal traded with Britain. This led to his decision to undertake the Peninsular War in 1807, which became a major factor in his downfall.

Question 3

When was Portugal subjugated?

Answer 3

November 1807. With the backing of King Charles of Spain. Junot appointed governor.

Question 4

Where and when were there anti-French riots?

Answer 4

Lisbon December 1807. Example of resistance. Napoleon ordered unorthodox measures to suppress riots. He overestimated the strength of his blockade and underestimated his enemies.

Question 5

French defeated at Vimeiro?

Answer 5

In Portugal August 1808. Defeat against British led by the Duke of Wellington.

Question 6

Peninsular War - Napoleon’s enemies (widespread resistance)?

Answer 6

Britain supported local guerrilla forces. French foraging was disrupted by burning of crops and shelter. June 1813 French army decisively beaten. May 1808 Murat suppressed a Madrid revolt with unorthodox measures.

Question 7

Convention of Sintra?

Answer 7

30 August 1808. Put an end to Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal.

Question 8

Uprising in Spain?

Answer 8

• March 1808 Murat entered Madrid to enforce French rule.
• May 1808 Murat suppressed a revolt executing 100 Spaniards in retaliation.
• 20 July 1808 guerrilla bands and soldiers defeated the French at Baylen forcing Joseph to abandon Madrid.

Question 9

Creation of the Kingdom of Spain?

Answer 9

1808. Same time as the attack on Portugal. French satellite state. King Charles IV forced to abdicate and replaced by Napoleon’s brother Joseph in June 1808.

Question 10

Consequences of the Kingdom of Spain?

Answer 10

Led to widespread resistance. Catholic clergy nobility property owners and armed peasants joined juntas using guerrilla warfare.

Question 11

Why was the creation of Spain objected to?

Answer 11

Opposed the Concordat and the Civil Code. Seen as French domination.

Question 12

When did Murat enter Madrid?

Answer 12

March 1808.

Question 13

When did Murat suppress a revolt by the people of Madrid?

Answer 13

May 1808. He used severe measures against strong resistance.

Question 14

Defeat of the French army at Baylen?

Answer 14

20 July 1808. Guerrilla bands and regular soldiers combined. Joseph abandoned Madrid, French retreated north.

Question 15

Peninsular War - Napoleon’s generalship?

Answer 15

Napoleon personally went to Spain with 100000 veterans in December 1808. He defeated the Spaniards and retook Madrid. Asserted French power in 1809-10 but left Spain in Joseph’s and marshals’ hands in 1809 never returning. Left them with no insight into his strategy.

Question 16

Peninsular War - Napoleon’s enemies?

Answer 16

Campaign dragged on. British had smaller but effective forces. French 100000 men vs. 35000 British plus 30-50000 junta fighters. British navy supplied them. Widespread resistance. Wellington’s leadership. French living off the land was thwarted by scorched earth.

Question 17

Peninsular War - significance?

Answer 17

Napoleon called it the Spanish ulcer. Drained French troops and resources until 1814. Cost 3 billion francs. Half of 600000 troops killed. Eroded France’s military prestige. Brutality undermined claims of progress. Resistance spread to Germany and Austria. Continental Blockade enforcement underestimated Spanish opposition. Failed in its primary goal. British trade through Portugal doubled: £1 million by 1811 £6 million by 1811 and £48 million by 1810. Spanish markets boosted British exports.

Question 18

When did Austria go to war with France again?

Answer 18

February 1809. Napoleon left Spain in 1809 to fight Austria, reaching the Danube Valley in March. Campaign lasted under two months.

Question 19

Battle of Eckmühl?

Answer 19

April 1809. Austrians defeated.

Question 20

Battle of Aspern-Essling?

Answer 20

May 1809. Napoleon defeated.

Question 21

Battle of Wagram?

Answer 21

July 1809. Austrians defeated in a two-day battle.

Question 22

Why did Napoleon undertake the Peninsular War?

Answer 22

To enforce the Continental Blockade and weaken Britain by closing off Portugal as a trading partner.

Question 23

Why did Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal backfire?

Answer 23

The British sent troops under Wellington who defeated the French at Vimeiro. The Portuguese and Spanish populations rose in resistance.

Question 24

What were the anti-French riots in Lisbon?

Answer 24

December 1807. Lisbon residents resisted French occupation. Napoleon ordered harsh measures.

Question 25

How did the Convention of Sintra impact Napoleon’s campaign?

Answer 25

Allowed British forces and Portuguese allies to leave Portugal. Limited French occupation.

Question 26

What role did guerrilla warfare play in the Peninsular War?

Answer 26

Widespread resistance by local guerrillas disrupted French supply lines forced constant fighting and demoralized the French army.

Question 27

How did Napoleon’s generalship affect the Peninsular War?

Answer 27

Napoleon’s absence after 1809 left his marshals unable to coordinate effectively. His command style was hard to replicate.

Question 28

How did the Spanish uprising spread?

Answer 28

Sparked by Murat’s repression and the creation of the puppet kingdom under Joseph Bonaparte.

Question 29

What were the consequences of the Battle of Baylen?

Answer 29

20 July 1808. The French army surrendered. Napoleon’s authority weakened. Joseph abandoned Madrid.

Question 30

How did Napoleon try to suppress Spanish resistance?

Answer 30

Using unorthodox measures harsh punishments and executions which only inflamed opposition.

Question 31

Why was the Peninsular War costly for France?

Answer 31

Half of the 600000 French troops died. France spent 3 billion francs. Eroded French military prestige.

Question 32

Why did British trade increase during the Peninsular War?

Answer 32

Smuggling and trade through Portugal’s ports circumvented the Continental Blockade. British exports rose from £1 million in 1808 to £6 million by 1811 reaching £48 million by 1810.

Question 33

How did Austria’s war in 1809 affect Napoleon’s efforts in Spain?

Answer 33

Forced him to leave Spain weakening French control.

Question 34

How did the Peninsular War affect French power in Europe?

Answer 34

Eroded France’s image as a force for progress. Inspired resistance in Germany and Austria.

Question 35

Why did the creation of the Kingdom of Spain backfire?

Answer 35

Spanish elites clergy and peasants formed juntas uniting against French occupation. This fueled guerrilla warfare and resistance.

Question 36

How did Napoleon’s failure in Spain impact his broader empire?

Answer 36

Contributed to the decline of his empire by draining resources and encouraging opposition elsewhere.

Question 37

Why did the French blockade fail in Spain?

Answer 37

Smuggling British trade support and local resistance undermined it.

Question 38

Why did the Battle of Wagram matter?

Answer 38

July 1809. Napoleon defeated the Austrians and forced peace negotiations, but at high cost.

Question 39

Why did the Battle of Aspern-Essling matter?

Answer 39

May 1809. First time Napoleon was defeated in battle.

Question 40

Why was the Peninsular War called the Spanish ulcer?

Answer 40

It drained Napoleon’s armyresources and prestige without decisive victory.