Mutiny of Aranjuez
Encyclopedia
The Mutiny of Aranjuez, or Motín de Aranjuez as it is known in Spain
, was an early nineteenth century popular uprising against King Charles IV, which managed to overthrow him and place his son, Ferdinand VII, on the throne. Although it is generally considered to be the first directly political act of the Spanish people, it is known that many of Ferdinand's supporters took part in inciting the revolt.
, or valido, of Charles IV, Manuel de Godoy
. Godoy, a former member of the Royal Guard, was highly unpopular with both the Spanish peasants and the nobles. The people were upset at his ambitious nature, his flirting with many women of the court, and his willingness to sign unbeneficial treaties with France
against Great Britain
. The nobles were also annoyed that Godoy had attained enormous power without belonging to their social stratum.
Another important factor was the economic crisis that was affecting the country, heightened after Spain lost its Navy in the battle of Trafalgar
of 1805, damaging its trade with the American colonies. This caused food shortages and damaged industrial production.
Ultimately, and this was probably the final straw, the king and Godoy had allowed French Emperor Napoleon's
troops to cross Spain in order to attack Portugal, which wouldn't adhere to Napoleon's embargo
on Great Britain. This move was extremely unpopular with the Spanish people, who saw the entry as an invasion, which it would soon become. The French troops rapidly occupied important cities like San Sebastián
, Pamplona
and Barcelona
, thus causing a strong sentiment against the French and Godoy.
, about 48 km south of Madrid
, where the royal family and the government were installed at the time. Members of popular classes, soldiers and peasants assaulted Godoy's residence and captured him, and made King Charles dismiss the prime minister. Two days later, the court forced Charles IV to abdicate and give the throne to his son and rival, Ferdinand VII.
, France. Both monarchs were afraid of the French ruler's power and thought it appropriate to accept the invitation. However, once in Bayonne, Napoleon forced both Charles and Ferdinand to renounce the throne of Spain and grant it to himself. The Emperor then named his brother Joseph Bonaparte
king of Spain. This episode is known as the Abdications of Bayonne
, or Abdicaciones de Bayona in Spanish.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, was an early nineteenth century popular uprising against King Charles IV, which managed to overthrow him and place his son, Ferdinand VII, on the throne. Although it is generally considered to be the first directly political act of the Spanish people, it is known that many of Ferdinand's supporters took part in inciting the revolt.
Prelude
The mutiny was initially directed towards the Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, or valido, of Charles IV, Manuel de Godoy
Manuel de Godoy
Don Manuel Francisco Domingo de Godoy y Álvarez de Faria, de los Ríos y Sánchez-Zarzosa, also Manuel de Godoy y Álvarez de Faria de los Ríos Sánchez Zarzosa , was Prime Minister of Spain from 1792 to 1797 and from 1801 to 1808...
. Godoy, a former member of the Royal Guard, was highly unpopular with both the Spanish peasants and the nobles. The people were upset at his ambitious nature, his flirting with many women of the court, and his willingness to sign unbeneficial treaties with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
against Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. The nobles were also annoyed that Godoy had attained enormous power without belonging to their social stratum.
Another important factor was the economic crisis that was affecting the country, heightened after Spain lost its Navy in the battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
of 1805, damaging its trade with the American colonies. This caused food shortages and damaged industrial production.
Ultimately, and this was probably the final straw, the king and Godoy had allowed French Emperor Napoleon's
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
troops to cross Spain in order to attack Portugal, which wouldn't adhere to Napoleon's embargo
Embargo
An embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
on Great Britain. This move was extremely unpopular with the Spanish people, who saw the entry as an invasion, which it would soon become. The French troops rapidly occupied important cities like San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
, Pamplona
Pamplona
Pamplona is the historial capital city of Navarre, in Spain, and of the former kingdom of Navarre.The city is famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions...
and Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, thus causing a strong sentiment against the French and Godoy.
The Mutiny
The uprising itself occurred on the March 17, 1808 in the town of AranjuezAranjuez
Aranjuez is a town lying 48 km south of Madrid, in the southern part of the Community of Madrid. It is located at the confluence of the Tagus and Jarama rivers, 48 km from Toledo. As of 2009, it has a population of 54,055.-History:...
, about 48 km south of Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, where the royal family and the government were installed at the time. Members of popular classes, soldiers and peasants assaulted Godoy's residence and captured him, and made King Charles dismiss the prime minister. Two days later, the court forced Charles IV to abdicate and give the throne to his son and rival, Ferdinand VII.
The aftermath
Emperor Napoleon found the situation of great interest to his political plans, and, under the false pretence of solving the problem, invited both Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to BayonneBayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
, France. Both monarchs were afraid of the French ruler's power and thought it appropriate to accept the invitation. However, once in Bayonne, Napoleon forced both Charles and Ferdinand to renounce the throne of Spain and grant it to himself. The Emperor then named his brother Joseph Bonaparte
Joseph Bonaparte
Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte was the elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, who made him King of Naples and Sicily , and later King of Spain...
king of Spain. This episode is known as the Abdications of Bayonne
Abdications of Bayonne
The Abdications of Bayonne is the name given to a series of abdications of kings of Spain that led to the Peninsular War.The Mutiny of Aranjuez forced king Charles IV to abdicate and give the throne to his son, Ferdinand VII. Napoleon Bonaparte forced Ferdinand to abdicate as well, ending the...
, or Abdicaciones de Bayona in Spanish.