Chapter 161: Blood Spilled
1806
Madrid
King Carlos IV waited patiently as his ministers consulted, his wife at his side. Even if the King had known that the Queen had already determined the policy and the Ministers (whom had only recently come under her sway) were merely settling on details. It had taken years for the Queen to get over the betrayal by her favorite, De Godoy, whom was now reportedly living in India with his stolen Spanish gold. Finally, she'd managed to get the Ministers under her thumb though she had to compromise more than in the past. This latest bunch continued to want reform (the heirs to Floridablanca and Aranda).
In truth, the Queen had no particular grievance with the Americans. Did she really object that some American traitor was captured on Spanish territory and then executed?
The peace between America and Spain for the past forty years had been modestly profitable for both (more for America which desperately needed Spanish gold for economic liquidity). The Spanish had benefited by access to American traders along the Main whom provided goods for the Spanish West Indies which Spain either did not produce or the Spanish Merchant Marine was inadequate to supply.
The Spanish Empire had always been a multi-national entity, supported by the old Spanish Habsburgs other realms in the Netherlands, Italy, etc. Always, the Spanish needed foreign capital (Germany, the Netherlands and Italy), foreign manufactured goods (Germany, France and Britain), foreign traders (French, Dutch, British, Portuguese) and foreign labor (Indian levies, Black slaves, etc) to maintain the Empire.
With the collapse of the British Empire, the slow degeneration of the Dutch and Portuguese Empires and the distant relations with France, Spain was forced to do more of the gruntwork in maintaining the vast North and South American Empire. Spanish banks were established to provide access to capital though they hardly provided with ALL the Empire's needs.
Americans provided more and more supplies to the Empire, mainly returning only with silver and occasionally sugar or coffee. In truth, the Empire was stronger than ever...though perhaps less "Spanish" than before. Conquest could be a double-edged sword. Managing Brazil had forced Spain to compromise on issues as diverse as slavery to language. The gained British island in the West Indies remained underdeveloped. The reforms intended to add necessary capital and goods to the Empire only encouraged more demands for local autonomy.
The Queen cared little for any of this. She was a woman of court and cared about the status of the crown even as she dominated her husband.
Spain could not afford to look weak before this little former colonial power led by a usurper (ironic as she'd been usurping her husband's authority for years).
By 1806, the Infante was angling for more power. She'd never particularly liked the prince and feared that should the 22 year old ascend to power, it would be the end of her influence.
By taking a position of strength against the Americans in this meaningless colonial squabble, she would prevent Ferdinand from taking a popular position himself and gaining favor at court. An ill-tempered letter was dispatched to the American King Frederick I.
Madrid
King Carlos IV waited patiently as his ministers consulted, his wife at his side. Even if the King had known that the Queen had already determined the policy and the Ministers (whom had only recently come under her sway) were merely settling on details. It had taken years for the Queen to get over the betrayal by her favorite, De Godoy, whom was now reportedly living in India with his stolen Spanish gold. Finally, she'd managed to get the Ministers under her thumb though she had to compromise more than in the past. This latest bunch continued to want reform (the heirs to Floridablanca and Aranda).
In truth, the Queen had no particular grievance with the Americans. Did she really object that some American traitor was captured on Spanish territory and then executed?
The peace between America and Spain for the past forty years had been modestly profitable for both (more for America which desperately needed Spanish gold for economic liquidity). The Spanish had benefited by access to American traders along the Main whom provided goods for the Spanish West Indies which Spain either did not produce or the Spanish Merchant Marine was inadequate to supply.
The Spanish Empire had always been a multi-national entity, supported by the old Spanish Habsburgs other realms in the Netherlands, Italy, etc. Always, the Spanish needed foreign capital (Germany, the Netherlands and Italy), foreign manufactured goods (Germany, France and Britain), foreign traders (French, Dutch, British, Portuguese) and foreign labor (Indian levies, Black slaves, etc) to maintain the Empire.
With the collapse of the British Empire, the slow degeneration of the Dutch and Portuguese Empires and the distant relations with France, Spain was forced to do more of the gruntwork in maintaining the vast North and South American Empire. Spanish banks were established to provide access to capital though they hardly provided with ALL the Empire's needs.
Americans provided more and more supplies to the Empire, mainly returning only with silver and occasionally sugar or coffee. In truth, the Empire was stronger than ever...though perhaps less "Spanish" than before. Conquest could be a double-edged sword. Managing Brazil had forced Spain to compromise on issues as diverse as slavery to language. The gained British island in the West Indies remained underdeveloped. The reforms intended to add necessary capital and goods to the Empire only encouraged more demands for local autonomy.
The Queen cared little for any of this. She was a woman of court and cared about the status of the crown even as she dominated her husband.
Spain could not afford to look weak before this little former colonial power led by a usurper (ironic as she'd been usurping her husband's authority for years).
By 1806, the Infante was angling for more power. She'd never particularly liked the prince and feared that should the 22 year old ascend to power, it would be the end of her influence.
By taking a position of strength against the Americans in this meaningless colonial squabble, she would prevent Ferdinand from taking a popular position himself and gaining favor at court. An ill-tempered letter was dispatched to the American King Frederick I.