Spanish Bourbon Dynasty: Succession, Reforms, and Enlightenment
War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714)
The War of the Spanish Succession was a major European conflict that occurred between 1701 and 1714, triggered by the death of Charles II of Spain without a direct heir. The enthronement of Philip V, a Bourbon, alienated Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Austria, who feared the union of the Spanish and French thrones. The Crown of Aragon supported Archduke Charles of Austria. Philip V, backed by France and Castile, ultimately secured his recognition as king after renouncing his rights to the French throne and ceding Spanish possessions in Europe.
Treaties of Utrecht and Rastatt (1713-1714)
These treaties were diplomatic agreements ratified by the countries involved in the War of the Spanish Succession. They recognized Philip V as King of Spain, but he had to renounce his rights to the French throne. Great Britain gained Gibraltar, Menorca, and trading privileges with Spanish colonies in America. Austria and Savoy acquired Spanish territories in Flanders and Italy.
Nueva Planta Decrees (1707-1716)
This set of laws, enacted by Philip V, abolished the privileges and institutions specific to the Crown of Aragon. These functions were assumed by Castile. A new, more centralized territorial administration was established, based on Captains General, Audiencias, magistrates, and mayors. This was a response to the Aragonese support for Archduke Charles during the war.
Economic Societies of Friends of the Country
These were private institutions promoted by the Enlightenment in the late 18th century. They analyzed the economic situation of each province and promoted agriculture, commerce, and industry. They also encouraged public instruction and the translation of foreign books. Members included nobles, clergy, and the middle class, and they had the backing of the Crown.
Mercantilism
This economic doctrine, prevalent in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries, held that precious metals were the essential wealth of nations. It advocated for a protectionist trade policy, the elimination of internal trade barriers, the promotion of manufacturing, and improved transport infrastructure. The state played a prominent role as an economic agent.
Regalism
This was a political doctrine, based on medieval tradition, where the King defended the right to intervene in ecclesiastical affairs within their territories. Absolute monarchs, especially Charles III (1759-1788), claimed this right, including appointing church officials, controlling the Inquisition, founding monasteries, and monitoring papal writings. The Enlightenment generally supported this position to weaken the Church’s influence.
Family Compacts
These were military and diplomatic agreements signed between the Bourbon dynasties ruling in Spain and France. They aimed to counter British power in Europe and America. The first two (1733 and 1743) allowed Philip V to recover former Spanish possessions in Italy. With the third (1761), signed by Charles III, Spain lost Florida but received French Louisiana.
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744-1811)
Jovellanos, from Asturias, was a politician, writer, and economist, and is considered the foremost representative of the Spanish Enlightenment. He was tasked with reporting on the Agrarian Law file (1795), which defended *deamortization* (disentailment) and free trade. He was a prominent member of the Economic Society of Madrid, Minister of Justice under Charles IV, and participated in the Central Junta during the Peninsular War, rejecting collaboration with Joseph I’s French government.
Creoles
Creoles were a social group composed of descendants of Spanish colonists in America, starting in the 16th century. They formed part of the landed aristocracy and the commercial bourgeoisie but lacked access to important political positions, which were reserved for peninsular Spaniards. This contributed to the Creoles becoming, for the most part, precursors and leaders of the emancipation of Spanish America in the early 19th century.
Enlightened Absolutism
This was a form of government practiced by certain 18th-century European monarchies. Kings, while maintaining their status as absolute monarchs, sought to implement certain “enlightened” reformist measures. In Spain, Charles III (1759-1788) was a prominent example, promoting economic reforms, supporting improvements in education, and defending the prerogatives of the monarch against the Church.