Royalist (Spanish American Revolution)

Quick Facts: Who was Royalist (Spanish American Revolution)?

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Royalist (Spanish American Revolution)

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Supporters of the Spanish monarchy during the wars for American independence.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The royalists were the people of Hispanic America (mostly from native and indigenous peoples) and Europeans that fought to preserve the integrity of the Spanish monarchy during the Spanish American wars of independence. Royalists recognized the authorities governing from the Iberian Peninsula against the Bonapartists. Spanish liberalism assumed power during the Peninsular War. In 1808, the Supreme Central Junta of Spain and the Indies, and from 1810 the Cortes of Cádiz, governed in the name of the absent king and created a pan-Hispanic state. Subsequently, in 1814, the Royalists recognized Ferdinand VII following the absolutist restoration of the throne, returned by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1820, a division emerged within the royalist camp between the liberals, who supported the uprising of the Trienio Liberal and sought to restore the liberal state of the Cortes of Cádiz, and the absolutists, supporters of Ferdinand VII and the restored traditional state. Another French military occupation until 1827 secured the absolutist throne. The creation of juntas in Spanish America in 1810 was a direct reaction to developments in Spain during the previous two years. In 1808 Ferdinand VII had been convinced to abdicate by Napoleon in his favor, who granted the throne to his brother, Joseph Bonaparte. The Supreme Central Junta had led a resistance to Joseph's government and the French occupation of Spain, but suffered a series of reverses resulting in the loss of the northern half of the country.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On February 1, 1810, French troops took Seville and gained control of most of Andalusia. The Supreme Junta retreated to Cádiz and dissolved itself in favor of a Regency Council of Spain and the Indies. As news of this arrived throughout Spanish America during the next three weeks to nine months—depending on time it took goods and people to travel from Spain—political fault lines appeared. Royal officials and Spanish Americans were split between those who supported the idea of maintaining the status quo—that is leaving all the government institutions and officers in place—regardless of the developments in Spain, and those who thought that the time had come to establish local rule, initially through the creation of juntas, to preserve the independence of Spanish America from the French or from a rump government in Spain that could no longer legitimately claim to rule a vast empire. At first, the juntas claimed to carry out their actions in the name of the deposed king and did not formally declare independence.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1808: 1808 Milestone — In 1808, the Supreme Central Junta of Spain and the Indies, and from 1810 the Cortes of Cádiz, governed in the name of the absent king and created a pan-Hispanic state.
2. 1810: 1810 Milestone — The creation of juntas in Spanish America in 1810 was a direct reaction to developments in Spain during the previous two years.
3. 1814: 1814 Milestone — Subsequently, in 1814, the Royalists recognized Ferdinand VII following the absolutist restoration of the throne, returned by Napoleon Bonaparte.
4. 1820: 1820 Milestone — In 1820, a division emerged within the royalist camp between the liberals, who supported the uprising of the Trienio Liberal and sought to restore the liberal state of the Cortes of Cádiz, and the absolutists, supporters of Ferdinand VII and the restored traditional state.
5. 1827: 1827 Milestone — Another French military occupation until 1827 secured the absolutist throne.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Royalist (Spanish American Revolution)

True or False: “The royalists immediately supported Ferdinand VII's return to power without any internal political divisions.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): A division emerged within the royalist camp in 1820 between liberals who favored the Trienio Liberal and absolutists supporting the restored traditional state.

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