British Invasions of the River Plate

British forces attacked the Spanish Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata during the wider war against Napoleon’s allies. Buenos Aires was briefly occupied in 1806 before local forces retook the city.

A larger expedition captured Montevideo but failed during a second assault on Buenos Aires in 1807. The invasions exposed Spanish colonial weakness while strengthening local military and political organisation.

Betrayal follows Kydd into the improvised expedition assembled by Home Riggs Popham. Early success gives way to resistance, divided command and the collapse of assumptions about local support.