Bourbon Dynasty in Spain: War of Succession & Reforms
The Arrival of the Bourbons to the Spanish Throne: The War of Succession
In 1700, Charles II died without a direct heir. The main candidates for the throne were Philip d’Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, and Archduke Charles of Austria. The will of Charles II designated Philip d’Anjou as king, who was crowned in 1701 as King of Spain under the title of Philip V.
This appointment strengthened the Bourbons in Europe, uniting Spain and France. England, Holland, and Portugal supported Archduke Charles and declared war on Philip V.
This conflict also manifested within Spain, with a territorial division of opinions. Castile supported Philip V, except for some of the nobility. The Crown of Aragon favored Archduke Charles, particularly in Valencia and Catalonia.
Philip V’s armies controlled most of the mainland, except for a part of Catalonia, which held out until 1707. In Europe, there was a balance between both sides. The Bourbons were unable to defeat the Austrian allies, but a significant event changed the course of the war: in 1711, Austrian Emperor Joseph I died, and Archduke Charles became his successor.
Faced with this new scenario, the British and the Netherlands expressed their interest in ending the war and recognized Philip V as King of Spain. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. In exchange, Spain made several concessions: the Milanese, Flanders, Sardinia, and Naples to Austria; Gibraltar and Minorca, along with trade privileges with America, to Great Britain; and Sicily to Savoy.
After the peace treaty was signed, only Barcelona resisted, beginning a siege of 14 months that ended on September 11, 1714, with the capture of the city.
Bourbon Rule: Absolutism and Centralization
The policy developed by the Bourbons faithfully represented the model of the Old Regime: an absolute monarchy where the king controlled everything within his power and was the true incarnation of the state. This model closely followed the absolutist principles of Louis XIV, the Sun King. The main objectives of the Bourbons were the centralization of power (reflected in the territorial organization) and modernization (through changes in management).
Territorial Reorganization
The Decrees of New Plant were implemented in Valencia, Aragon, Catalonia, and Majorca. These decrees eliminated the power of the former Crown of Aragon and imposed the laws of Castile, creating a uniform structure. The Cortes of Aragon and its council were abolished. The Cortes of Castile and its council became the sole national body, with executive, legislative, and judicial functions.
However, all power ultimately resided in the monarch, who was assisted by the Secretariat, headed by secretaries appointed and dismissed by the king. These secretaries, in turn, had their own officials.
Administrative Reforms
The administration attempted to extend the Castilian model to the entire territory. The old viceroys were removed (except overseas). Provincial areas were created, each headed by a captain-general with significant power, serving as governor. Royal courts, presided over by the captain-generals, were established. The role of magistrates, responsible for city control, was expanded. Mayors, who reported directly to the king, held considerable power and were responsible for tax collection and economic revitalization, including the control of local authorities.
Economic Reforms
Concern about the economy led to a reform of the Treasury. A system was introduced where each individual (including the nobility and clergy) paid taxes in proportion to their wealth. This system took different forms: the “equivalent” in Valencia, the “single contribution” in Aragon, and the “cadastre” in Catalonia. These reforms were successful and aimed to establish fixed rates based on the population.