Why did the Spanish rebel against napoleon in 1808?

Answer 1

If we're going to talk what Spain did, we first have to talk about what Portugal did. Napoleon set of this system called the Continental System. This was after Napoleon had taken over as the the King of France. Because he had still not taken over England, one of the most powerful nations at the time, France, along with all Napoleon's allies (and forced allies) were so completely shut off economic correspondence with England. There was to be an economic blockade on England. Now this was okay for some countries, but for places like Russia who depended on English money to buy their grain, it didn't work out so well. Many countries started using the black market to get their products sold and such. Portugal was the first so say, "The heck with you Napoleon!" So Napoleon has to drag his grand army over the Portugal to "punish" them for disobeying his rules. To get to Portugal, he must go through Spain. Thinking that Spain is his ally, he assumes a warm welcome from the Spaniards, not so much. Spanish militia were hiding out all along the road Napoleon traveled. They attacks his supply lines and used gorilla war tactics to slow down Napoleon. This is where Goya's "The Third of May" influence is from. Now Napoleon has to punish both. Well, he never got to Portugal, so they had an indirect victory, but Spain got Napoleon's brother as a new king. Napoleon kicked the old one out and replaced him with Joseph. The Spanish hate Joseph and he gets run out of town. So they opposed him when he came through Spain to get to Portugal and they ran his brother out of office.