The Napoleonic Wars: A Watershed in Spanish History

Leandro Prados de la Escosura (leandro.prados.delaescosura@uc3m.es) and Carlos Santiago-Caballero

No 15616, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The Napoleonic Wars had dramatic consequences for Spain’s economy. The Peninsular War had higher demographic impact than any other military conflict, including civil wars, in the modern era. Farmers suffered confiscation of their crops and destruction of their main capital asset, livestock. The shrinking demand, the disruption of international and domestic trade, and the shortage of inputs hampered industry and services. The loss of the American colonies, a by-product of the French invasion, seriously harmed absolutism. In the long run, however, the Napoleonic Wars triggered the dismantling of Ancien Régime institutions and interest groups. Freed from their constraints, the country started a long and painful transition towards the liberal society. The Napoleonic Wars may be deemed, then, as a watershed in Spanish history.

Keywords: Napoleonic wars; Peninsular war; Spain; Institutional change; Growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E02 F54 N13 N43 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gro, nep-his and nep-mac
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Working Paper: The Napoleonic Wars: A Watershed in Spanish History? (2018)
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