The Peninsular War (1807-1814), also known as the War of Spanish Independence, was a major conflict of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) that was waged in the Iberian Peninsula by Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom against the invading First French Empire of Napoleon I (r. 1804-1814; 1815). It remains the bloodiest episode in the modern history of Spain.
More about: Peninsular WarServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$3926 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
18 Oct 1807French General Jean-Andoche Junot leads 25,000 troops toward Portugal, sparking the Peninsular War.
-
27 Oct 1807The secret Treaty of Foutainebleau is signed between France and Spain, in which it is agreed to occupy and partition Portugal.
-
29 Nov 1807The Portuguese royal family evacuates Lisbon as the French army approaches. They will set up a government in exile in Brazil.
-
30 Nov 1807Junot occupies Lisbon.
-
8 Jan 180830,000 French troops under Marshal Moncey crosses into Spain, occupies key border towns.
-
17 Mar 1808 - 19 Mar 1808The Mutiny of Aranjuez. Manuel de Godoy is harassed by an angry mob and nearly lynched; Prince Ferdinand is proclaimed king of Spain.
-
2 May 1808Dos de Mayo uprisings in Madrid.
-
6 May 1808King Ferdinand VII of Spain is forced to abdicate, is imprisoned.
-
6 Jun 1808Joseph Bonaparte is coronated as King of Spain.
-
15 Jun 1808 - 14 Aug 1808First Siege of Zaragoza.
-
16 Jul 1808 - 19 Jul 1808A Spanish army defeats a French force at the Battle of Bailén, France's first major land defeat since the start of the Napoleonic Wars.
-
21 Aug 1808Sir Arthur Wellesley defeats Junot's Army of Portugal at the Battle of Vimeiro.
-
4 Dec 1808Napoleon enters Madrid.
-
19 Dec 1808 - 20 Feb 1809The Second Siege of Zaragoza results in 64,000 deaths.
-
16 Jan 1809The Battle of Corunna results in a successful British evacuation from Iberia, although Sir John Moore is killed.
-
28 Jul 1809 - 29 Jul 1809Sir Arthur Wellesley wins the Battle of Talavera, is ennobled as Viscount Wellington.
-
26 Oct 1809Wellington orders the construction of the Lines of Torres Vedras, a defensive position.
-
5 Feb 1810 - 24 Aug 1812Siege of Cádiz by French troops; results in a Spanish victory.
-
27 Sep 1810Battle of Bussaco results in an Anglo-Portuguese victory over a French army.
-
16 May 1811The indecisive and bloody Battle of Albuera is fought between French and Anglo-Portuguese troops.
-
16 Mar 1812 - 6 Apr 1812The Siege of Badajoz results in an Anglo-Portuguese victory; Wellington's troops pillage the city for three days before order is restored.
-
22 Jul 1812Wellington beats Marshal Marmont at the Battle of Salamanca.
-
21 Jun 1813A French army under King Joseph and Marshal Jourdan is defeated by Wellington's Allied army at the Battle of Vitoria.
-
11 Dec 1813Abdication of Joseph Bonaparte; Ferdinand VII is restored as King of Spain.
-
6 Apr 1814First abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte leading to his exile in Elba.
-
10 Apr 1814Wellington and Soult clash at the Battle of Toulouse.
-
14 Apr 1814Battle of Bayonne results in an Allied victory.
-
18 Apr 1814French Marshals Soult and Suchet sign a convention with Wellington; end of the Peninsular War.
