Arrival news into America and Primeras Juntas (First Boards)

Napoleon´s invasion into the Peninsula will create deep changes in the overseas territories. The same reactions are made against the invader. All of these events get to America between May and August of 1808 through different seaports such as Veracruz, Buenos Aires, Caracas and La Habana. At this moment, Spain has taken up the arms against the French that are defeated in the Battle of Bailén on July 19, making the king Joseph I to abandoned the capital of Madrid.

Ferdinand VII access to the throne news creates great joy in America, but it wont last long since he also abdicates. Nonetheless, the allegiance oath for the new monarch takes place in the main capitals and cities of the viceroyalties, untying themselves from French obedience demand.

Besides the news, a state of confusion will surround unevenly the American territories according to the monarchys affinities but having the same approaches: joy for the fall of Manuel Godoy and the ascent to the throne of Ferdinand VII as well as the opposition to a dynastys change ruled by the Bonaparte Family.

Due to the lack of confirmation over the latest events, the officials of the Administration, the Church, the Audience and the Councils meet at Juntas in order to analyze and share the governments responsibilities. On the summer of 1808 the Juntas Supremas Provinciales were born with the goal to eliminate the personal interest that the institutions held with the French invaders. These Juntas were extended all over the American territories of the Spanish Monarchy.

In Spain, the Junta Suprema de Sevilla decides to send messengers to America to built loyalty in the territories. Figures such as Juan Jabat (Ochagavia, Navarra, 1782-La Habana, Cuba, 1825) or José Manuel de Goyeneche (Arequipa, Perú, 1775-Madrid, 1846) stand out. The second one will be named Count of Guaqui. Napoleon will do the same.

In La Habana, the realist point of view wins for fear of becoming a new Haiti. Caracas acknowledges the Junta Suprema de Sevilla and refuses to star a capital junta. In Mexico, the viceroy José de Iturrigaray (Cadiz, 1742-Cadiz, 1815) will arise the anti-French feelings of the people and will be substitute by Pedro de Garibay (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 1722-Mexico, D.F, 1815).

In Charcas´ Audience, the Chuquisaca revolution in May 1809 resulted on the dismissal of the governor accused of acting in favor of the Queen of Portugal the infant Carlota Joaquina de Borbón (Aranjuez, Madrid, 1775-Lisboa, Portugal, 1830) who was also the sister of Ferdinand VII and pretended to become regent while Ferdinand were in prison.

Rio de la Plata saw the confrontations between Javier Elío (Pamplona, Navarra, 1767-Valencia, 1822) governor for Montevideo and the viceroy Santiago de Liniers (Niort, France, 1753-Córdoba de Tucumán, Argentina, 1810) as his support to the king Ferdinand VII wasn´t clear. Due to this, a governmental Junta is created on behalf of the monarch in Montevideo, held by Elio. And, in Lima, the proclamation and oath to the king Ferdinand VII takes place with the viceroy José de Abascal (Oviedo, Asturias, 1742- Madrid, 1821) as leader.