After King Ferdinand VII overthrew his father, Charles IV of Spain, Napoleon summoned Ferdinand VII to Bayonne. Napoleon promised Ferdinand recognition as the Spanish monarch, but it was a trap. Napoleon forced Ferdinand VII to abdicate, and gave the Spanish throne to his own brother, Joseph Bonaparte. Joseph was seen as an illegitimate king by most of the Spanish people. Napoleon's choice led to both conventional and guerrilla warfare against Joseph I and the French forces, which would drain part of the Grand Armé in a 6 year long war, but also contributed to the spark of the Latin American independence movements.
This is generally seen as one of Napoelon's main mistakes, which partly led to the fall of his empire, but also to Spain's own colonial empire. Who could have Napoleon chose, instead of his brother, that could have been more likable to the Spanish people, and thus not have sparked rebellions against his rule?
Possible options:
This is generally seen as one of Napoelon's main mistakes, which partly led to the fall of his empire, but also to Spain's own colonial empire. Who could have Napoleon chose, instead of his brother, that could have been more likable to the Spanish people, and thus not have sparked rebellions against his rule?
Possible options:
- Charles IV, and his PM, Manuel Godoy, had remained loyal allies to France for more than a decade, but are disliked (Ferdinand's plot to overthrow his father is prove of it)
- Infante Carlos María Isidro, born on 1788 (later on claimant to the Spanish throne as Charles V) was next in the line of succession, but was an absolutist, ultraconservative and extremely religious, so too hard to manipulate.
- Infante Francisco, born on 1794, behind Carlos in the line of succession, was just 14 years old on 1808, so could be easy to manipulate and he would need a regent (maybe someone loyal to Napoleon, or even Joseph).
- Other? (let me know)