Napoleon wasn’t a fan of European monarchies, and so created an empire that covered much of Europe in 1804 to 1814. He conquered many colony-holding European countries, and partially conquered the Spain. Spain still has colonies in Mexico and Venezuela, regions where nationalist sentiments and movements were stirring, and Napoleonic conquest of Madrid were just the right moment. During Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon’s brother) reign on the Spanish throne, Mexico and Venezuela declared independence from Spain.