Philip V’s Nueva Planta Decrees: Centralization in Spain
Philip V’s Nueva Planta Decrees and Centralization in Spain
Philip V, after being attacked by the English and Austrian armies, defeated the allied troops in the Battle of Almansa. From this time, the war favored the Bourbon interests. The new employment in Valencia and Aragon was accompanied by the cancellation of their charters. The end of the War of Succession was marked by the death of Leopold I, who was replaced by Archduke Charles. This changed the current situation. Peace talks concluded between the contenders in the Treaty of Utrecht and Rastatt Agreements. In Spain, the war continued until 1714, when Bourbon troops took Barcelona.
The New Bourbon Dynasty and State Reform
The new Bourbon dynasty, which had no obligations as their ancestors had, focused their efforts on internal renovation and restoration. This involved carrying out a thorough reform of the state with new ways of governing. The Nueva Planta Decrees implemented a centralized absolutism, which was a new way of understanding the state. They abolished immunities. It was considered that the best way to govern the kingdoms was with the same laws and similar institutions, all dependent on the Crown. This new form of government was conducted through the Nueva Planta Decrees, which abolished the governments of the kingdoms of Aragon, Valencia, Mallorca, and Catalonia.
Only the Basques and Navarrese were exempt, as a reward for their loyalty to Philip V. These areas followed the model of Castilian institutions, with some French influences. Viceroys were replaced by Captains General. The Audiencias took care of judicial matters and advised the Captains General.
Economic and Administrative Reforms
The Mayors controlled economic affairs and good governance. In all territories, a system of a unique contribution was implemented, based on collecting a fixed amount for each kingdom. The use of Spanish was mandatory in the administration.
Centralization and Administrative Reform Under Charles III
Enlightened absolutism culminated with Charles III, who made a series of reforms:
- Political: Secretariats (government affairs), Cabinet (formed by the meeting of the Secretariats), Courts disappeared, and institutions were linked to the king.
- Kings tried to diminish the temporal power of the Church. This policy took shape in the so-called regalism, or the imposition of royal authority on religious matters. Measures included the expulsion of the Jesuits due to their extreme ties to Rome.
- Fiscal: Centralization of tax collection and the creation of new revenue sources (lottery).
The Unique Contribution and Other Fiscal Measures
The major tax-related project of the Enlightenment was the Unique Contribution, a system based on secure statistical property data for each town, i.e., a general cadastre. The Alcabala was a tax base. The state began issuing royal coupons, the first form of paper currency in Spain. For control and management, the Banco de San Carlos was created, the first official bank linked to the state. The new tax system was first implemented in the territories of the Crown of Aragon. An attempt to unify the currencies of each of the ancient kingdoms was also thwarted.