“French Invasion”, “Intruder Government”. The Peninsular War Fonds in the National Historic Archives

Abstract

The Spanish Independence War was a convulsive period. Its documentary trace is difficult to follow but can be found in the archives with generic names such as “French invasion” or “Intruder Government”. The National Historic Archives has carried out an ambitious description and digital program which is available on the Spanish Archives Portal (PARES) website whose biggest contribution is to set documents in their institutional context. This article explains the political manipulation of the archives of The Independence War as the cause for the current concealment of documents. An analysis of identified institutions such as the administration of José I as well as the “patriotic government” is offered.