Absolutism, Enlightenment, and Reform in 18th-Century Spain

What is Absolutism?

Absolutism is a specific way of organizing a state where a monarch holds supreme, autocratic authority.

The European Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was a significant cultural and political movement in Europe during the 18th century. Its core principles included:

• The use of reason as an instrument to change reality.
• The pursuit of human progress, which the enlightened understood as improving the material conditions of life and increasing happiness among humans.

Social Changes in the 18th Century

During the 18th century, a new social class emerged: the bourgeoisie. By the early part of the century, the bourgeoisie had acquired major economic power. However, they were still part of the Third Estate, and both political and social power remained firmly in the hands of the kings, the aristocracy, and the church.

The Role of the Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia was a huge, illustrated collection of volumes written by French thinkers during the 18th century, similar to modern encyclopedias. It was a major work that perfectly illustrated the main ideas of the Enlightenment:

• It served to extend knowledge and reason, attempting to synthesize all the knowledge of the era.
• It aimed to be a useful and practical reference, introducing new knowledge.
• It included criticisms and proposals from the enlightened about religion, politics, and society.

For these reasons, the Encyclopedia helped spread enlightened ideas and, consequently, faced persecution and censorship.

Understanding Enlightened Despotism

Enlightened Despotism represents the union between the principles of absolutism and the Enlightenment.

Objectives of Enlightened Despotism

Under this system, the king was still considered an absolute monarch chosen by God, and only the sovereign had the right to rule. The primary objective of the monarch was to care for his subjects, facilitate progress, improve their material standard of living, and provide them with education.

The War of Spanish Succession

The War of Spanish Succession was a decisive conflict that shaped the future of Europe and Spain, involving complex origins, motivations, warring factions, and significant consequences.

Reforms Under King Philip V

Upon reaching power, King Philip V imposed a centralized, absolutist form of government. He abolished the private laws of Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, and Mallorca—territories that made up the Crown of Aragon. A unified Spanish administration was imposed across all domains, with some exceptions like Navarra and the Basque Provinces, which had supported him. With the king's power strengthened and a more centralized state, Philip V attempted major reforms of the economy, administration, and the army to make them more efficient.

Reforms Under King Charles III

King Charles III fostered culture and sought to reform the education system to make it more efficient and practical. He boosted the economy by cultivating previously untapped agricultural lands and by promoting manufacturing output and trade with the American colonies.