355. Liberator of Latin America: Napoleon & The Legions of Hell (Part 2)

355. Liberator of Latin America: Napoleon & The Legions of Hell (Part 2)

From Empire: World History by Goalhanger

April 29, 2026 · 43 min · Season 32 · Episode 2

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Spain on the Spanish Empire and the revolutionary efforts of Simón Bolívar in South America.

Who were the cowboys and Indigenous people who made up the “Legions of Hell” and why did Bolívar fear them so deeply? How did Napoleon’s invasion of Spain speed up the collapse of its empire? What was Simón Bolívar’s secret revolutionary mission in London? Get the entire Simón Bolívar miniseries early and ad-free by joining the Empire Club at empirepoduk.com In Episode 2 of this series, Anita and William discuss the fragile nature of the Spanish Empire and the total war that broke out in South America in the fight for independence. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producers: Alfie Rowe and Imogen Marriott Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Editor: Vasco Andrade Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Anita, William

Topics covered

  • Latin American independence
  • Spanish Empire
  • Napoleon's invasion
  • Simón Bolívar
  • Legions of Hell
  • total war
  • revolutionary missions

Keywords

  • Bolívar
  • Legions of Hell
  • Spanish Empire
  • Napoleon
  • independence
  • total war
  • revolution
  • London
  • cowboys
  • Indigenous people

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Empire Club, Goalhanger, empirepoduk.com, goalhanger.com

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