April Revolution
| April Revolution | |
|---|---|
 The April 4 at Mevosa | |
| Historical context | |
| Date | April 8, 1808 |
| Place | Mevosa |
| Participants | Alphonse Matthada, Michael Towers, Manuel Del Paso, Francis Ghack, Nelson Thorley, Daniel Garçon, Jourdain Ilbert, Adam Crewe, Raymund Allard, Romuald De La Mesea |
| Causes |
British invasion Bayonne abdications |
| Outcome | |
| Previous government | Viceroyalty |
| Previous ruler | Esteban Cardenas Santander |
| Government resulting | National Assembly |
| Government resulting form | Government Junta |
The April Revolution was a week-long series of events that took place from April 1 to 8, 1808, in Mevosa, capital of the Vice-Royalty of The Yellow River controlled by Spain since 1535 and occupied by Great Britain in 1807. The result was the expulsion of both europeans empires and the establishment of a local government, the National Assembly on April 8. It was the first successful revolution in the Terra Nova and the trigger for the continental independence process.
The April Revolution was a direct reaction to Great Britain's invasion of Mevosa and Betham in september, 1807. Seeking new markets for his products, and access to the primary goods of Fluvique, the crown decided to take the low-defended colonies and secure the vital ports for his commerce. The Spanish authorities in Mevosa allowed the british troops to enter without fight and surrender the city, causing a major upset in the lower classes and caused the birth of many patriot movements across the country.
Initially the new british government declared the freedom of cult, the break of the monopoly with Spain and kept the spaniards in some institutions, for the status-quo. However, a group of local merchants, lawyers and military officials organized a series of meetings in a tobacco shop and formed a militia to repel the invaders. In the night of April 4 a popular uprising exploded and the patriot soldiers were forced to enter in action and finally besieged the british forces in the Mevosa's fort and made them surrender the next day. Despite the desires of some conservatives forces, the popular mood caused a new uprising, expelling the spaniards and establishing a patriot government, the National Assembly, composed by citizens of Mevosa and invited other provinces of the Viceroyalty to send delegates to join them. This resulted in the outbreak of war between the regions that accepted the outcome of the events at Mevosa and those that did not.
The April Revolution began the Fluviquean Independence War, although no formal declaration of independence was issued at the time, but the National Assembly acted in the name of the Yellow River peoples. As similar events occurred in almost all the others cities in the country, the April Revolution is considered the starting point of the Fluviquean national identity and the patriot movements around the continent. Historians today debate the different interests behind the revolution, between the merchants in revolt against taxes, the local military wishing better positions and the radical revolutionaries trying to accomplish a social change. A formal declaration of independence was finally issued at the National Congress in Alkanter on July 16, 1821.
Causes
External
The Declaration of Independence of the United States in 1776 led the locals to believe that revolution and independence were possible. The old idea of loyalty to the metropolis was weakened, especially in the middle and upper classes. Also the ideals of French Revolution in 1799 spread across the continent, brought by the local elites sons, which were studying in European universities. The execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette ended centuries of monarchy and removed the privileges of the nobility and deepened the republican and liberal ideas.
The Spanish authorities banned the publishing and entry of European books and newspapers, trying to stop the spread of such ideas. However, this led to the creation of many groups of enlightened Fluviqueans and the private reunions were held in all the big cities. The bars and literary salons were the birthplace of the future revolutionaries and leaders.
The independence of the north american colonies and Napoleon's Continental System were a menace for the British commerce, and Industrial revolution caused the necessity of find new markets. Britain wanted to trade with the Spanish colonies, but the monopoly was imposed and only the smugglers were capable of enter to the Fluviquean ports. Thus, Britain decided to invade the colonies and acquire key ports, expanding their dominion from Greencastle to all the continent.
The British menace was in the middle of a political crisis in the metropolis: The mutiny of Aranjuez in 1808 led King Charles IV of Spain to abdicate in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII. The events known as Abdications of Bayonne finished in the coronation of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte and the start of the Peninsular War. The lack of representativeness was the boost to deep the revolution and expand it to all the provinces.
Internal
The colonies had many taxes to export their products to the metropolis and they were increased when Spain entered in the American Revolutionary War, first; and later in the first campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars. Also, the forced recruitment and the send of troops to Europe caused major upset among the population. The borders with the Dominion of Greencastle, controlled by Britain, was a major route for smugglers, increasing the wealth of Fluviquean traders.
In this context quickly emerged two antagonistic groups:
- Peninsulares or royalists
The majority were wealthy Spaniards traders, with permission of the King and with a increasing influence in the colony. They were officials in the port, the consulate and any other colonial government office. This group wanted the status-quo, was against the smugglers and, later, was a fierce enemy of the revolution. Paradoxically, many revolutionaries were sons these wealthy traders.
- Patriots or tobacconists
They were the local bourgeois, traders and wealthy smugglers, lawyers and generals of the local regiments and militia, recently named. Inside these group were divided into moderates and radicals. The moderates were the army officials, wishing some autonomy, but with the country still in the empire. The radicals were the majority and wanted a total independence of any nation and establishing a republic.
