A Spanish situation troubled European statesmen from 1820 on. Spanish revolutionists had forced reforms which caused French reactionaries to wish for intervention. Moreover, this French group feared the effect of the Portuguese King's action in granting a liberal constitution upon his return from at fourteen-year sojourn in Brazil. The Congress of Verona (1822) permitted French intervention of Spain, but Canning, who had opposed such procedure, finally decided on the policy which he herein mentions. He did help to thwart any attempt to conquer the Spanish colonies.
Last modified 26 June 2002