Battle of Vitoria: Wellington shatters Joseph Bonaparte's army

Background. The Peninsular War involved Iberian nations and the United Kingdom fighting against French occupation. In 1812, Allied forces defeated the French at Salamanca, leading to the evacuation of Madrid. By May 1813, Wellington marched a large combined army from northern Portugal across Spain to outflank Marshal Jourdan's forces, setting the stage for the engagement at Vitoria.

The Battle. On 21 June 1813, the British, Portuguese, and Spanish army under Wellington broke the French army commanded by King Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Jean-Baptiste Jourdan near Vitoria. This decisive action was a significant step towards victory in the broader Peninsular War, following the earlier Allied advances into Spain.

Consequences. The defeat at Vitoria contributed to the eventual Allied victory in the Peninsular War. The conflict, which lasted until 1814, is regarded as one of the first wars of national liberation. The war also influenced political developments, such as the Spanish Constitution of 1812, which became a cornerstone of European liberalism.