The truth is, that Spain has gone through a few Independence wars. For the better part against independence as the colonial master. But the tables turned during the Spanish Independence war (1808-1814). It all began when Manuel Godoy (King Charles’ IV’s favourite) promised Napoleon’s imperial troops safe passage and assistance to attack Portugal. But the French decided not only to cross Spain, but also to conquer part of it. Sneaky! In May 1808, Charles IV abdicated to Napoleon. Napoleon appointed his brother Joseph as the new king of Spain. Both the civilians and the Spanish army fought back against this imposed monarch, with the additional help of the British. After a long conflict, peace came with the signing of the 1813 Treaty of Valençay, which recognised Ferdinand VII, son of Charles IV, as the king of Spain.