<P> Napoleon Bonaparte 's invasion of Iberia , forcing the abdication of Charles IV and replacing him with Bonaparte 's brother Joseph , produced unforeseen changes in Spain and its overseas empire . The outbreak of the Spanish American wars of independence was a result of Napoleon 's destabilizing actions in Spain and led to the fragmentation of the former viceroyalties into independent nation - states . Royal government disappeared and local strongmen emerged in the Spanish American republics in the wake of these wars . </P>
<P> Napoleon Bonaparte 's invasion of Iberia , forcing the abdication of Charles IV and replacing him with Bonaparte 's brother Joseph , produced unforeseen changes in Spain and its overseas empire . The outbreak of the Spanish American wars of independence was a result of Napoleon 's destabilizing actions in Spain and led to the fragmentation of the former viceroyalties into independent nation - states . Royal government disappeared and local strongmen emerged in the Spanish American republics in the wake of these wars . </P>
what caused spain to lose its influence in the new world
what caused spain to lose its influence in the new world
Napoleon Bonaparte 's invasion of Iberia
Napoleon Bonaparte 's invasion of Iberia