Spain and the Loss of America

Between 1810 and 1825, the crown of Spain lost control of one of the largest and richest empires in world history. Although there has been much focus by global historians on the various independence movements from the perspective of the countries seeking independence, this volume aims to bridge a gap by arguing that these colonies did not "win" independence; rather, Spain lost them. This volume traces the loss of the Spanish empire during and after the Napoleonic wars. Concentrating on policy debate in Spain and the decisions of King Ferdinand VII, this book examines not how the individual republics won their independence, but how the imperial metropole lost its empire.