This episode explores the early 1810 phase of the Peninsular War, focusing on the strategic movements of Wellington, Napoleon, and the Spanish resistance. It highlights the sieges, political upheavals, and military decisions shaping Spain and Portugal's fight for independence. From the formation of the Cortes, to the fractious situation in Spain's colonies, from Napoleon's vision for the future of Portugal, to the devastating French invasion of Andalusia, this episode lays the foundation for the rest of the Peninsular War.

Chapters

00:00 The State of the Peninsula War

06:12 Wellington's Strategy and Morale

12:09 The French Invasion and Political Shifts

27:07 The Rise of the Cortes and Spanish Politics

33:27 Formation of a Government Under Siege

40:00 The Political Landscape of Occupied Spain

43:56 Colonial Responses to the Napoleonic Wars

51:14 Napoleon's Distractions and Strategic Decisions

57:11 The Siege of Theodor Rodrigo: A Case Study

keywords

Peninsular War, Wellington, Napoleon, Spanish Resistance, Sieges, 1810, Spain, Portugal, Military Strategy, Spanish Politics

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