The invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 1807-08 by Napoleon's forces proves critical to the independence struggle in South America.
The overthrow of the Bourbon Dynasty and the placement of Joseph Bonaparte on the Spanish throne tests the loyalty of the local elites in Upper Peru, who are suddenly confronted with several conflicting authorities.
Most remain loyal to Spain.
Taking a wait-and-see attitude, they suppor the Junta Central (Central Junta) in Spain, a government in the name of the abdicated Ferdinand VII.
Some liberals eagerly welcome the reforms of colonial rule promised by Joseph Bonaparte.
Others support the claims of Carlota, Ferdinand's sister, who governs Brazil with her husband, Prince Regent John of Portugal.
Finally, a number of radical criollos want independence for Upper Peru.
This conflict of authority results in a local power struggle in Upper Peru between 1808 and 1810 and constitutes the first phase of the efforts to achieve independence.
In 1808 the president of the audiencia, Ramon Garcia Leon de Pizarro, demands affiliation with the Junta Central.
The conservative judges of the audiencia are influenced, however, by their autocratic royalist philosophy and refuse to recognize the authority of the junta because they see it as a product of a popular rebellion.
Tensions grow when radical criollos, also refusing to recognize the junta because they want independence, take to the streets on May 25, 1809.
This revolt, one of the first in Latin America, is soon put down by the authorities.
