17th-Century Spain: Government, Conflicts, and Cultural Splendor
Item 8: 17th-Century Spain
S.17.1: Government and Internal Conflicts
The Habsburg Rule and Spanish Decline
The “validity” of the 17th-century Habsburg rule coincided with the period of Spanish decadence. This decline resulted from their inability to maintain Spain’s legions in Europe and the significant internal conflicts during their reign. These Habsburgs relied on political figures and trusted men, contrasting with the previous authoritarian rulers.
Principal Figures:
- Philip III (Duke of Lerma and Uceda)
- Philip IV (Count-Duke of Olivares)
- Charles II (his mother, Mariana of Austria, who relied on Duke Nihart and Valenzuela)
Philip III:
The first Austrian king, Philip III, possessed a weak character, allowing the Duke of Lerma to gain significant influence. Key events during his reign included the attempted move of the capital to Valladolid and the expulsion of the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula in 1609.
Philip IV:
Philip IV entrusted power to the Count-Duke of Olivares, who aimed to unify the kingdoms. This led to uprisings in various regions, including Catalonia and Portugal, ultimately resulting in Portugal’s independence.
Charles II:
Charles II was weak both mentally and physically, and his court was rife with intrigues, particularly regarding succession. Conflicts and wars plagued Europe and Spain. At the end of his reign, he left the crown to a grandson of the French king, Philip of Anjou. This decision led to a change of dynasty and the War of Spanish Succession.
S.17.2: The Crisis of 1640
General Overview (1640-1699):
Spain faced major conflicts due to continuous wars and dwindling resources. 1640 is considered an annus horribilis, with Quevedo describing Spain as being “in a trice.”
Causes of the Crisis:
- Olivares’ passion for spending during his reign.
- The need for reforms in Spain, including Olivares’ attempt to “Castilianize” all realms.
- Olivares’ attempt to create a common army funded by all kingdoms, not just Castile.
- Uprisings in kingdoms opposed to these reforms.
Catalonia:
With France and Spain at war, tensions rose between the King’s troops and the Catalan people. An economic crisis and peasant revolts, fueled by attempts at Castilianization, led to the 1640 uprising in Barcelona. With French support, Catalonia became a republic until 1652 when Barcelona surrendered to royal troops.
Portugal:
In 1640, Portugal, incorporated into the Spanish monarchy since Philip II, revolted against Castile, rejecting the Union of Arms. They appointed the Duke of Braganza as king, with support from France and England. Spain’s attempts to reclaim Portugal failed, leading to Portuguese independence in 1668 with the Treaty of Lisbon.
Andalusia and Aragon:
Similar uprisings occurred in Andalusia and Aragon, both aiming for independent kingdoms. The Andalusian uprising, led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia, was crushed. The Aragonese conspiracy, led by Duke Nhijar, also failed.
Consequences of the 1640 Crisis:
These uprisings highlighted the crisis of the monarchy during the latter Habsburg reigns. Despite the turmoil, Spain remained largely intact, except for the loss of Portugal.
S.17.3: Decline of the Spanish Empire
The decline began under the Austrian Habsburgs, driven by their inability to maintain hegemony in Europe. Continuous wars weakened Spain, culminating in the War of Succession at the end of Charles II’s reign.
Key Events:
- Philip III: Inherited a large debt from wars against England and the Netherlands. Signed peace with England and a 12-year truce with the Dutch Republic. The Thirty Years’ War further exposed Spain’s decline.
- Philip IV: The decline continued under Philip IV and the Duke of Olivares. The Peace of Westphalia marked Spain’s defeat by France, leading to the loss of Roussillon and Sardinia. This further diminished Spain’s hegemony.
- Charles II: Continuous conflicts with France resulted in further losses for Spain. The succession crisis upon Charles II’s death led to the War of Succession, marking the definitive end of Spanish hegemony.
S.17.4: Economic and Social Evolution
The 17th century was marked by a deep economic crisis, with some exceptions in the north and Mediterranean regions. A slight recovery occurred in the second half of the century.
Agriculture:
Corn cultivation was prominent. Other changes included the expansion of mulberry trees for silk production and viticulture in Barcelona. Rice and oil also became important crops.
Demographics:
Suburban areas grew by 50%, while city centers declined by 12%. The expulsion of the Moors, the bubonic plague, and other factors contributed to these demographic shifts.
Social Class:
- Privileged: Nobility and clergy did not pay taxes, leading to increased burdens on the non-privileged.
- Non-Privileged: The poor and beggars increased due to war and taxes, leading to a rise in banditry.
- Moriscos: Expelled in 1609, many settled in North Africa.
S.17.5: Cultural Splendor
Despite the decline of universities, the 17th century witnessed a flourishing of arts and literature, known as the Golden Age. This was partly due to the control of knowledge by the clergy and the Inquisition, isolating Spain from some advancements.
Art:
Painting was the most prominent art form, patronized by the Church and monarchy. Key figures include Pacheco, Ribera, Velázquez (known for Las Meninas), Murillo, and Zurbarán.
Architecture:
Baroque architecture, with its ornamentation and movement, thrived. Notable architects include Churriguera, Fernando Casas, and Juan Gómez de Mora.
Sculpture:
Realism and naturalism triumphed, with the Castilian school led by Gregorio Fernández and the Seville school by Martínez Montañés and Alonso Cano.
Literature:
The Golden Age of Spanish literature saw prominent figures like Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca. Other notable writers include Ruiz de Alarcón, Tirso de Molina, Guillén de Castro, Quevedo, and Góngora.