American Revolution & 18th Century Spain: A Historical Analysis
The American Revolution
The Thirteen Colonies’ Path to Independence
Thirteen English colonies on the American East Coast staged a revolution and constituted a new government founded on the principles of equality and freedom. The colonists of Great Britain, encouraged by the ideas of freedom, equality, and tolerance, did not agree with the quotas and taxes imposed upon them, as well as with commercial monopolies. As the law gave them no representation in Parliament, they decided they would not pay taxes. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies drafted the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, initiating a revolt that resulted in the right of all people to freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
The United States Constitution
Britain did not recognize American independence until 1783, after their defeat at Yorktown. George Washington became the first president of the United States. In 1787, the first Constitution was drafted. Checks and balances ensured the separation of powers and established a republican form of government. The federal government handled the finances and the new currency of the country. The Constitution was completed with the declaration of rights, such as freedom of the press, religion, expression, and the right to a fair trial. This explanation shows the impact of the American Revolution on the world. In Europe, the winds of freedom from America strengthened hostility to absolute monarchies.
The Eighteenth Century in Spain: The Bourbons
The last Habsburg king, Carlos II, died in 1700 without descendants. He named his nephew, the French Bourbon prince Philip V, as his heir. The proclamation of King Philip V in Spain in 1700 implanted the Bourbon dynasty and the French absolutist model.
The War of Succession (1701-1714)
This resulted in a declaration of war from Britain, Holland, Portugal, and the Austrian Empire against France and Spain. The candidate opposing Philip V was Archduke Charles of Austria. This brought about the War of Succession, which was also a conflict within Spain. Castile proved faithful to the Bourbon kings, but the Crown of Aragon supported the Austrian Empire. However, the pro-Philip troops won the Battle of Almansa in 1707, after which they occupied Valencia and Aragon. In 1713, Archduke Charles inherited the Austrian crown after the death of his brother. Britain and the Netherlands, seeing the potential power of a Habsburg on the Spanish throne, withdrew their support for Archduke Charles and signed the Treaty of Utrecht, which recognized Philip V as King of Spain. The courts of the Principality of Catalonia resisted the troops of Philip V, who occupied Barcelona after 14 months of siege on September 11, 1714.
Bourbon Absolutism
The first Spanish Bourbons followed the example of their French relatives and implemented the absolutist model. To govern, the king was aided by advisors or secretaries whom he directly appointed and who met in the Cabinet. All courts disappeared, except for the Castilian courts, and legislative institutions depended exclusively on the monarch. Councils remained, especially that of Castile, but their role was merely consultative.
Territorial Uniformity
The Bourbons imposed unique laws, an identical administration, and the homogenization of all their institutions. As punishment, Philip V annulled the privileges of the Crown of Aragon and imposed the Castilian administrative system throughout its lands. The territory was divided into provinces, each headed by a captain general appointed by the monarch with military authority. In each province, *audiencias* were established for justice, and *corregidores* and *intendentes* were introduced for tax collection.