the peninsular war 1807 -1814 Flashcards
(21 cards)
when was the Peninsular War
- 1807 - 1814
- Against Spain and Portugal
why was there a peninsular war
- 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
when was Portugal subjugated
- November 1807
- with the backing of
king Charles of Spain - Junot appointed governor
where and when were there anti French riots
- Lisbon
- December 1807
- 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
French defeated at Vimierom
- in Portugal
- august 1808
- defeat against British led by the Duke of Wellington
The peninsular war - napoleon enemies (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
convention of Sintra
-30 august 1808
- put an end to Napoleons invasion of Portugal
uprising in Spain
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
creation of the kingdom of Spain
- 1808
- Same time as attack on Portugal
- French satellite and allies since its defeat in 1795
- King of Spain Charles IV is forced to abdicate and is replaced with napoleon’s brother Joseph June 1808
consequences of the creation of the kingdom of Spain
- Led to widespread resistances
- Catholic clergy, nobility and Spain’s property owners and armed peasants joined juntas (resistance committees) who use guerrilla warfare
why was the creation of Spain objected
- Opposed concordant and civil code
when did Murat enter Madrid
- March 1808
when did Murat suppress a revolt by the people of Madrid
- May 1808
- there was strong resistance and Murat put down the revolt with great severity
defeat of French army at Baylen
- 20 July 1808
- Guerrulla bands and regular soldiers combined
- Joseph abandoned Madrid and the French retreated to the north
Peninsular war - napoleon’s generalship
- 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
The peninsular war - napoleon enemies
- 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
Peninsular war - significance
- 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)
when did Austria choose to go to war with France again
- February 1809
- Leaving Spain in 1809, Napoleon hastened to fight the Austrians,
reaching the Danube Valley in early
March. - The campaign lasted under two months.
Eckmuhl
- April 1809
- Austrians defeated
Aspern-Essling
- May 1809
- Napoleon defeated
Wagram
- July 1809
- Austrians were defeated in a two-day battle
