17th-Century Spanish Monarchy: From Philip III to Charles II
Spain in the 17th Century: The Reign of Philip III
Philip III ascended the throne in 1598 and inherited an empire that was in crisis.
Domestic Affairs
Philip III chose to leave the task of government in the hands of a prime minister, the Duke of Lerma. The main objective was to improve public finances, which were unable to afford military expenditures and measures to manage debts. One of the most serious measures was the expulsion of the Moors; they worked in agriculture, and their expulsion was a disaster, as the fields were left uninhabited and uncultivated.
Foreign Policy
Lerma pursued a policy of peace to reduce military expenditure. In 1604, he signed a peace treaty with England, and in 1609, a Twelve Years' Truce with the United Provinces, establishing a diplomatic network. However, this pacifist politics failed to improve the financial situation, and the State declared bankruptcy. Lerma was replaced in 1618.
The Reign of Philip IV
His reign started in 1621, and policy fell into the hands of a prime minister, the Count-Duke of Olivares.
Domestic Affairs
Olivares tried to force all territories to cover war expenses and strengthen the king's power.
Foreign Policy
Olivares started a foreign policy offensive and was affected by the intervention in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). The Peace of Westphalia eventually ended the Thirty Years' War.
The Reign of Charles II
Charles II ascended the throne in 1665. During this time, agricultural output fell, and industry was replaced by imports from the Netherlands and England. The Treasury was in bankruptcy. During this reign, reformist policies were applied. Charles II had no children, which ended the dynasty and led to the War of the Spanish Succession.
Characteristics of the Absolute Monarchy
The monarch decided to personally handle the distribution of numerous government grants and pensions among the nobility at court. They installed the entire government administration, which became the cultural center of the country. This system achieved political centralization and addressed religious dissent.
Absolutism and Parliamentarism
Absolutism
Absolutism is a political system in which the king exercises absolute power regardless of the parliaments or courts, which were the representative organs of society and the defenders of its liberties. Some of its defenders were Hobbes and Bossuet.
Parliamentarism
Parliamentarism is a political system in which the king must rule in accordance with parliament and can never impose their decisions. A key defender of this system was Locke.