Royalist (Spanish American independence)
| Royalist | |
|---|---|
| Realistas | |
| Leaders |
|
| Political leader | Ferdinand VII of Spain |
| Constitutional monarchy | Cortes of Cádiz; Trienio Liberal |
| Absolute monarchy | Ominous Decade |
| Dates of operation | 1810–1829 |
| Allegiance | Spanish Empire |
| Motives | Preservation of the territorial integrity of Spain |
| Allies | Russian Empire |
| Opponents | Patriot Governments |
| Coat of arms of the Spanish Monarchy (1761–1843) | |
| Flag of the Spanish Navy, Castles and Fortresses | |
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The royalists were the people of Hispanic America (mostly from native and indigenous peoples) and Europeans that fought to preserve the integrity of the Spanish monarchy during the Spanish American wars of independence.
In the early years of the conflict, when King Ferdinand VII was captive in France, royalists supported the authority in the Americas of the Supreme Central Junta of Spain and the Indies and the Cortes of Cádiz that ruled in the King's name during the Peninsular War. During the Trienio Liberal in 1820, after the restoration of Ferdinand VII in 1814, the royalists were split between Absolutists, those that supported his insistence to rule under traditional law, and liberals, who sought to reinstate the reforms enacted by the Cortes of Cádiz.