The Enlightenment and 17th-Century European Conflicts

Posted on Mar 13, 2025 in History

The Enlightenment: A Cultural Movement of the 18th Century

The Enlightenment was a cultural movement in 18th-century Europe that emphasized reason as the primary source of authority. It aimed to combat ignorance and superstition, fostering faith in human progress and personal merit. This era saw the rise of new economic theories:

  • Physiocracy (Quesnay)
  • Capitalism (Adam Smith)

The Enlightenment criticized absolutism and established the foundations of new political and social systems, notably liberalism. It was often anticlerical (with groups like the Masons), and its ideas were widely disseminated through the Encyclopédie. Key figures and their contributions include:

  • Voltaire: Championed citizens’ rights.
  • Rousseau: Advocated for popular sovereignty.
  • Montesquieu: Proposed the separation of powers.
  • Jovellanos: Focused on agrarian reform in Spain.

Economic Theories: Capitalism vs. Mercantilism

Capitalism is characterized by minimal government intervention in the economy, with prices determined by supply and demand and private ownership of land. In contrast, Mercantilism was an economic theory based on trade and the accumulation of precious metals.

17th-Century Crises and Key Events

1640 Crisis

The 1640 crisis was the most serious political crisis within the Hispanic Monarchy under the Habsburgs. It nearly led to the monarchy’s collapse and resulted in the secession of Portugal.

Price Revolution

The Price Revolution was a period of high inflation in Europe, lasting from the late 15th century to the mid-17th century (approximately 150 years).

Casa de Contratación in Seville

Established in 1503 by the Crown of Castile, the Casa de Contratación was a crown agency for the Spanish Empire. Located in Seville, it controlled all traffic with the Indies (the Americas), which were declared a market reserved for Castile.

Revolt of the Comuneros (1520-1521)

This was an uprising by citizens of Castile against Charles V and his administration. At their height, the rebels controlled the heart of Castile, ruling cities such as Valladolid, Tordesillas, and Toledo.

Key Figures of the 17th Century

  • Louis XIV (1638-1715)

    Louis XIV was a French king famous for building the Palace of Versailles. He made France the strongest kingdom, often conflicting with Spain.

  • Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

    A military and political leader, Cromwell transformed England into a republic. A Puritan Member of Parliament, he promoted liberty and allowed Jews to return to England. He implemented naval reforms and collected taxes, becoming Lord Protector in 1653.

  • Martin Luther (1483-1546)

    A theologian and monk, Luther created Lutheranism, a new Christian movement, and inspired the Protestant Reformation.

  • Charles I (1600-1649)

    Charles I was the King of England. He was responsible for wars with France, Spain, and Scotland. He attempted to rule without Parliament, collected illegal taxes, and was Catholic. Facing financial problems and seeking to limit Parliament’s power, he was defeated in war by the Scots.

The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)

Causes: Initially a political conflict between states supporting the Reformation and those supporting the Counter-Reformation within the Holy Roman Empire, it escalated into a general European war.

Consequences: The war resulted in the devastation of entire cities and significant population loss, particularly in Germany (over 5 million inhabitants). Spain lost its dominant power, while France’s influence grew. The Netherlands were recognized as an independent state.

Major Participants:

  • Protestant Side: Swedish Empire, Russian provinces, United Kingdom of France, Kingdom of England, Scotland, and the Palatinate Principality of Transylvania.
  • Catholic Side: Spanish Empire, Holy Roman Empire, German Catholic League, Austria, and Bavaria.

Organization of the Spanish Empire

During the reigns of Philip II, Philip III, and Philip IV, and following Charles V’s division, the Spanish Empire included Castile, Aragon, Catalonia, Navarre, Valencia, the Netherlands, Sicily, Sardinia, Milan, Naples, Tunis, parts of America, the Philippines, and, during Philip II’s reign over Portugal, Brazil and Afro-Asian territories.