Why did Napoleon choose his family Joseph to be the king of Spain, rather of Murat? Napoleon appointed his family Joseph Bonaparte as the King of Spain in 1808 for a combination of political and strategic reasons. The decision was part of Napoleon’s sweats to consolidate and extend his influence across Europe during the Napoleonic Wars.
One crucial factor was the strategic significance of Spain in Napoleon’s overall plans. Spain was a critical gateway to the Iberian Peninsula, and controlling it would secure Napoleon’s southwestern hand. also, Napoleon sought to disrupt British trade routes and put pressure on Portugal, which was a traditional supporter of Britain.
Joseph Bonaparte was chosen for the part because he was a member of the Bonaparte family, and his appointment served Napoleon’s broader docket of placing family members in positions of power within the homes he controlled. This practice, known as nepotism, was a common point of Napoleon’s rule. Joseph was considered more politically pliable and pious to Napoleon’s interests, making him a favored choice for the throne.
Joachim Murat, on the other hand, was a talented service commander and had formerly been appointed by Napoleon as the Grand Duke of Berg and Cleves. Napoleon probably preferred to keep Murat in a military part, where his chops could be employed on the battleground.
The decision to install Joseph as the King of Spain, still, proved to be unpopular among the Spanish people, leading to wide resistance and the launch of the Peninsular War. The resistance from the Spanish population, combined with the involvement of British forces and guerrilla warfare tactics, eventually made the French occupation of Spain grueling and contributed to the overall decaying of Napoleon’s conglomerate.
