18th Century Spain & America: Transformations

Enlightened Despotism

Political reformers aimed to boost the economy, promote culture and science, and reduce the Church's influence on education.

Art & Architecture

Rococo (18th Century)

A courtly style prevalent in aristocratic salons:

• Architecture in Caracas featured abundant decorative elements, curves, and irregular elements, primarily in urban palaces (small, intimate spaces). Chinese elements became a fashionable decorative motif.
• Painting mirrored the architectural style, preferring elegant and opulent scenes of palatial life. Key artists included Watteau, Tiepolo, and Giaquinto.

Neoclassicism

This style revived art forms from earlier eras, particularly Greek and Roman classicism.

• Architecture: Temples served as perfect models, featuring columns, pediments, and domes.
• Painting: Emphasized ideal beauty, balanced composition, and precise drawing. A prominent figure was Jacques Louis David.

Crisis of the 1700s

1. Dynastic Crisis: The Habsburg dynasty in Austria ended with Charles II, leading to the War of Succession as the Bourbons, under Philip V, claimed the throne.
2. International Conflict: European powers vied for hegemony. The Treaty of Utrecht established Great Britain as the leading world power and redrew European borders.
3. Monarchy and Realms: The Spanish realms (Castile, Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia) were unified under a single jurisdiction (Castile). The Nueva Planta decrees standardized laws across the peninsula based on Castilian law.

18th Century Spain: Demographic and Economic Expansion

Population growth resulted from increased food production, the elimination of internal tariffs under Charles III (which mitigated survival crises), and declining epidemics. Growth was uneven, with greater increases in peripheral areas.

Economic growth:

• Most of the population worked in agriculture and livestock. Production increased significantly, driven by population growth and some technical improvements, though productivity remained low. Commercial farming emerged.
• Mercantilist policies spurred manufacturing. Shipbuilding thrived due to the Bourbons' focus on a strong navy for their foreign policy.

18th Century America: Population and Economic Evolution

1. Population Growth: Driven by natural increase (births exceeding deaths) and some immigration.
2. Economic Expansion: From self-sufficiency to a developing market economy:
   • A favorable balance of trade allowed for the purchase of European goods.
   • Growth stimulated the Catalan textile industry.
   • Plantation agriculture (sugar, tobacco) and mining (gold, silver) experienced tremendous growth.