<P> Napoleon Bonaparte 's invasion of Iberia , forcing the abdication of Charles IV and replacing him with Bonaparte 's brother Joseph , produced unforeseen changes in Spain and its overseas empire . The outbreak of the Spanish American wars of independence was a result of Napoleon 's destabilizing actions in Spain and led to the fragmentation of the former viceroyalties into independent nation - states . Royal government disappeared and local strongmen emerged in the Spanish American republics in the wake of these wars . </P>
what caused spain to lose its influence in the new world
Napoleon Bonaparte 's invasion of Iberia