ABSTRACT
Confronted by the reality of French military power, the continental powers were sooner or later themselves forced to embark upon a process of change. As a response to French power, reform predates Napoleon, and therefore cannot neatly be fitted into a timescale restricted to the Napoleonic Wars. In 1801 French pressure led to Spain being forced to attack Portugal, Manuel de Godoy being appointed to take command of the army assembled for this purpose. To recapitulate, in order to stimulate Spain’s staggering economy and keep the national debt within bearable limits, a start was made on the expropriation of the lands of the Church and new taxes imposed upon the propertied classes, including the nobility. Godoy’s attempts to raise more money were nullified by the implications of his foreign policy, while on the other his efforts to strengthen the army were frustrated by vested interests, political opposition and the hesitations of his own sponsors.
