The Peninsula War in the Imperial French press (1808-1814)

Given the tough constraints of official propaganda, the dismal turn of events in the Peninsula between 1808 and 1814 was hardly a commendation for the Napoleonic military in their intervention south of the Pyrenees. The initial public justification was the Emperor's decision to work toward the 'regeneration' of the country. Later, the war was said to be waged against the English and against native rebels disparaged as despicable bandits. The imperial press, under tight control, resorted to brazen falsifications or distortions of the facts of war, added to ignorance of the political revolution undertaken by the liberal patriots in Cadiz. Despite the defeats of Baylen, the Arapiles and Vitoria, readers were asked to swallow the line that Napoleon's soldiers were the victims of the inclement weather, shortage in manpower and equipment, and finally the conduct by insurgents of an irregular (guerilla) war which the French were unable to control.