1815 Porlier’s rebellion at Corunna suppressed. Morillo sent to Venezuela. He crushes rebellion and governs vigorously.
1816 Rio de la Plata asserts its independence.
1817 Lacy rebels in Catalonia, is captured and shot.
1819 Florida sold to the United States. Secret societies formed against the government.
1820 Venezuela and New Granada declare their union as the Free State of Colombia. An army, assembled to conquer Colombia, rebels under Riego and Quiroga. The revolt spreads throughout Spain. Ferdinand compelled to swear to the constitution and abolish the Inquisition. Cortes and liberal government. The moderate party fails to restrain the radicals. The priests stir up the people against the constitution. Disorder throughout the country.
1821 Mexico becomes independent.
1822 Triumph of the radical party. Riego president of the cortes. The clerical and servile (royal) party sets up a regency in Urgel and arms for the king. Civil war in Catalonia and Aragon between serviles and radicals. Congress of Verona, France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia agree for armed intervention in Spain in favour of Ferdinand. Victory of the Liberals under Mina and flight of the regency to France.
1823 The government withdraws to Seville. Invasion by the French. The serviles and common people join them. The French erect a provisional government in Madrid and restore the “legitimate order” of things. The cortes withdraw to Cadiz, but surrender it to the French. Ferdinand resumes despotic power. Execution of Riego and other liberals. Many go into exile. President Monroe declares the United States’ intention to oppose the interference of European powers for the restoration of Spanish absolutism in America.
1824 Battle of Ayacucho. Chili and Peru achieve independence by the defeat of the Spaniards.
1825 “Commissions of purification” persecute all opponents of despotism. Bessières’s revolt suppressed.