 Complete the following phrase:  European events sowed the seeds of Venezuelas declaration of independence. The Napoleonic Wars in Europe not only weakened Spains imperial power but also put Britain unofficially on the side of the independence movement. In May 1808, Napoleon demanded and received the abdication of Ferdid VII of Spain and the confirmation of the abdication of Ferdids father Charles IV. Napoleon then appointed as King of Spain his own brother Joseph Bonaparte. That marked the beginning of Spains own War of Independence from French hegemony and partial occupation before the Spanish American wars of independence even began. The focal point of Spanish political resistance, the Supreme Central Junta, was formed to govern in the name of Ferdid. The first major defeat that Napoleonic France suffered occurred at the 