New Plant Decrees of Philip V: Centralization and Aftermath
New Plant Orders in Madrid (1715)
Philip V and the War of Succession
The text discusses the New Plant Orders decreed in Madrid in 1715 by Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain. Appointed heir by Charles II, whose childlessness sparked the War of Spanish Succession, Philip V centralized power, revoking the self-governing privileges of Aragon, which had opposed him in favor of Charles.
The Aragonese kingdom was punished for not supporting the war. Initially, Philip V named his son Louis I as successor, but Louis died shortly after, forcing Philip to retake the crown. He later signed Family Pacts with France and named another son, Ferdinand VI, as his successor.
The War of Succession concluded with the Treaty of Utrecht, which aimed to establish a balance of power. It resulted in Spain ceding territories but allowed Philip V to retain the throne. The war’s underlying cause was the shift from an authoritarian monarchy to an absolute monarchy under the Bourbons, eliminating regional privileges.
The Rise of Absolutism and Centralization
With Philip V, absolutism was introduced to Spain. The death of Charles II without an heir led to a power struggle between Philip of Anjou and Archduke Charles of Habsburg. Charles II’s testament named Philip V as heir, causing an imbalance among European powers. Britain, Holland, and Portugal supported the Austrian candidate, leading to war.
Spain also experienced a civil war, with Castile supporting Philip V and Aragon backing the Austrian candidate. However, the death of Emperor Joseph I of Austria made Archduke Charles king, leading Britain and Holland to accept Philip V on the Spanish throne. The Treaty of Utrecht resulted in Spain ceding Milan, Flanders, Naples, Sardinia, and territories to Britain.
Impact of the New Plant Decrees
Philip V’s reign initiated the Bourbon dynasty, bringing significant changes:
- Transition from authoritarian to absolute monarchy
- Elimination of regional statutes
- Reorganization of the courts and creation of the Haciendas
- Establishment of provinces, each with a captain general
The New Plant Decrees were a set of decrees that abolished the territorial organization of the kingdoms of the Crown of Aragon, imposing the political and administrative structure of Castile. This created a uniform structure throughout the territory, with the exception of Navarre and the Basque Country.
Administrative and Political Changes
- The Courts of Aragon were abolished and integrated into the Courts of Spain.
- The Council of Aragon was abolished, and the Council of Castile became the main governing body.
Economic and Social Transformations in the 18th Century
The 18th century saw significant demographic growth in Spain. However, agricultural reforms under Charles III failed to address the challenges of population growth, leading to subsistence crises. Royal manufactures were established to reduce reliance on luxury imports, but they largely failed due to lack of markets.
Charles III implemented policies to reduce union privileges and support industry. The Bourbon era began with a loss of power and influence for Spain, as it ceded European possessions after the War of Succession. Despite this, the 18th century was a period of relative peace, interspersed with military conflicts.
Family Pacts and International Relations
Philip V signed the Family Pacts with France, forming alliances between the Bourbon monarchies. Ferdinand VI maintained political neutrality, focusing on rebuilding the army and fleet. Charles III involved Spain in the Seven Years’ War alongside France against England, losing American possessions but later recovering them. Charles IV’s reign coincided with the French Revolution and the War of Independence against Napoleon.
Economic Reforms under Charles III
Charles III implemented economic measures, including:
- Limiting the privileges of the Mesta
- Supporting colonization of new lands
- Promoting land reform
- Amending the unfair payment system
The Enlightenment, through the Economic Societies of Friends of the Country, studied agricultural backwardness and criticized the feudal system. Jovellanos was commissioned to report on agricultural issues, proposing solutions that were subsequently implemented.