Spagna 1808: la genesi della guerriglia moderna. 2. Fenomenologia della guerriglia spagnola e suoi riflessi internazionali

Abstract

Spagna 1808: la genesi della guerriglia moderna. 2. feno- menologia della guerriglia spagnola e suoi riflessi internazionali

This essay, which continues and completes the one published in n. 18, after giving some data on the demographic and socio-economic situation of Spain at the moment of the uprising, tries to give a review of some key moments in order to clarify the importance of the guerrilla warfare phenomenon first for Spain and then for European history. The Dos de Mayo riot is investigated to see whether or not it was a popular uprising; the guerrillas are studied in order to determine who they were and which were their aims; then a short description is given of the authorities’ attempt at regulating the guerrilla’s bands. Some space is devoted to the guerrilla’s military importance and effectiveness and to its operational activity; whilst finally a quick overview takes into consideration the Spanish guerrilla’s influence, both during the Napoleonic period’s years, immediately afterwards and during the first half of the XIX Century on the political and military thought of other Countries, as Austria, Prussia, Russia, Poland and Italy.