The Bourbon Dynasty in 18th Century Spain
The Bourbons: A New Dynasty in 18th Century Spain
The War of Succession (1700-1713)
In 1700, King Charles II died without heirs. His will named Philip of Anjou, grandson of the Bourbon King Louis XIV of France, as his successor, on the condition that he renounce his claim to the French throne. However, the potential union of Spain and France alarmed other European powers, who supported Archduke Charles of Austria as the successor.
The War of Succession ensued, with France and Spain fighting against Austria, Great Britain, the United Provinces, Savoy, and Portugal. It was also a civil war within Spain, with Castile supporting Philip of Anjou and the Crown of Aragon supporting Archduke Charles.
The conflict ended in 1711 when Archduke Charles became the new emperor of Austria. To prevent a restoration of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain, the other powers made peace. The Treaties of Utrecht (1713) and Rastatt (1714) saw Philip V renounce his claim to the French throne, and Spain lost its European possessions. Additionally, Spain ceded Minorca and Gibraltar to Great Britain, granting them trading privileges in America.
Establishment of Absolute Monarchy
During the 18th century, Spain was ruled by Philip V (1700-1746), Ferdinand VI (1746-1759), Charles III (1759-1788), and Charles IV (1788-1808). They established an absolute monarchy, with the king holding all power. The high nobility was removed from political power, the clergy was subject to the monarch’s intervention, and the Cortes (parliament) was rarely called.
The king was assisted by secretaries responsible for specific matters (navy, finance, etc.), who met regularly, forming a precursor to the modern Council of Ministers.
Enlightenment and Bourbon Reforms
With the arrival of the Bourbons, Enlightenment ideas spread in Spain through encyclopedias, books, magazines, and travel to France. These ideas influenced intellectuals and politicians among the bourgeoisie and lower nobility, including figures like Father Feijoo, Jovellanos, Campomanes, Floridablanca, and Aranda.
The Bourbon Reforms, influenced by the Enlightenment, began under Philip V, peaked under Charles III, and continued under Charles IV. They aimed to centralize political and administrative power, transforming the existing system where each kingdom had its own laws and institutions. Only the Basque Country and Navarre retained their rights and privileges. The territory was divided into provinces governed by Captains General.
Trade Reforms
Domestic trade benefited from improved transportation, with wider roads, new bridges, and a radial network of roads connecting Madrid to major ports. Inland waterway transport was also promoted. Trade with America was revitalized by strengthening the role of the port of Cadiz, chartering companies for specific American regions, and eventually decreeing free trade with America (1778).
Social Reforms
The stratified society of the Old Regime was criticized by the Enlightenment. The nobility was seen as enjoying wealth and privilege without contributing to society. Measures were taken to provide practical training and eliminate legal barriers to work. The clergy was criticized for its wealth, the lack of training among the lower clergy, and its ideological influence. The Bourbons intervened in Church affairs, gaining the right to propose candidates for Church offices, expelling the Jesuits (1767) for their opposition to reforms, and limiting the power of the Inquisition.
Culture and Art in the 18th Century
Artistic Manifestations
The strong roots of Baroque art in Spain limited the development of Rococo, paving the way for Neoclassicism.
Rococo
Rococo style was adopted in the decoration of some rooms in the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Palace of La Granja de Segovia. In sculpture, the delicate forms of Rococo influenced the work of Salzillo, famous for his nativity scenes. Painter Luis Paret y Alcázar’s work, such as “The Old Curiosity Shop,” also reflected Rococo influence.
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism became more widespread due to the arrival of foreign artists and the foundation of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in 1744. The academy, divided into sections for architecture, sculpture, painting, and engraving, promoted Neoclassical rules. It was directed by prominent artists like Raphael Mengs and amassed a large collection of paintings, drawings, and prints for training. Promising artists received scholarships to study abroad, often in Italy, where they could learn from classical antiquity.
In architecture, during the reign of Philip V, Baroque works like the Royal Palace of Madrid were built in a classical style. Under Charles III, notable buildings like the Puerta de Alcalá by Sabatini, the Prado Museum, and the Astronomical Observatory by Juan de Villanueva were constructed.
In sculpture, Francisco Gutierrez created urban monuments like the Cibeles fountain in Madrid, while Alvarez Cubero produced monuments like the defense of Zaragoza and portraits. The most prominent figure in painting was the German Raphael Mengs, who decorated the ceilings of the Royal Palace.
Murcia in the 18th Century
Population Growth
The 18th century saw a recovery in Murcia’s population, which tripled.
The War of Succession and the Kingdom of Murcia
During the War of Succession, Murcia became a border territory between Bourbon Andalusia and the pro-Habsburg Levant. Philip V appointed Cardinal Belluga, an ally of the Bourbons, to defend Andalusia. The Archduke’s troops took Cartagena, Alicante, Elche, and Orihuela. The two armies clashed in the Battle of the Garden of the Bombs in Espinardo, resulting in a decisive defeat for the Habsburg forces.
The Kingdom of Murcia and the Enlightened
Cardinal Belluga was one of three influential figures in 18th-century Murcia and Spain. As bishop, he promoted economic and social initiatives. Belluga championed the independence of the Church from civil power, while his contemporaries Melchor de Macanaz and José Moñino, Count of Floridablanca, were regalists (supporters of royal power over the Church). Floridablanca served as Spain’s ambassador to Rome, where he played a role in the suppression of the Jesuits. In 1777, he participated in the founding of the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country.
Bourbon Centralism
Bourbon centralism manifested in the creation of intendancies, with the intendants (representatives of the king in the provinces) becoming the most important figures in provincial administration, paving the way for the 19th-century civil governors. However, Bourbon centralization did not produce major changes in Murcia due to the direct connection of municipalities with the Court through the corregidor (mayor). The Esquilache Riots only affected Cartagena, Lorca, and Totana. In Lorca, the riot resulted in the only anti-centralist rebellion in the region: rioters attacked the home of the corregidor Juan de Polanco and expelled him from the city, burned debt records, lowered prices, and freed prisoners.