Administrative Reforms and Political Crisis in Extremadura (1720–1808)
The Province of Extremadura under the Old Regime
The reforms largely affected Extremadura. In 1720, the region was governed by the Quartermaster of Extremadura, whose boundaries roughly coincided with the former province. Since 1651, the province was represented in the Court of Rome, rotating through the cities of Badajoz, Mérida, Llerena, Cáceres, Trujillo, Jerez, and Alcántara. The capital was first Mérida and then Badajoz, coinciding with the current Autonomous Community.
The Role of the Quartermasters
The Quartermasters' mission was to promote development. They also held the Captaincy General (military command of Extremaduran troops), government and province monitoring, and inspection of magistrates and mayors.
Administrative and Judicial Divisions
In 1785, the region was divided into eight judicial partidos (districts). These districts served in turn for the collection of taxes:
- Alcántara
- Plasencia
- Trujillo
- Cáceres
- Badajoz
- Mérida
- Villanueva de la Serena
- Llerena
In 1791, the Royal Audiencia of Extremadura was created, based in Cáceres. It handled legal cases previously managed by the Chancillería and Audiencia of Valladolid. Political changes affected regional boundaries; some municipalities ranged between Extremadura, Salamanca, and Toledo, maintaining this situation until the early nineteenth century.
The Annexation of Olivenza
The most important territorial change was the annexation of Olivenza after the War of the Oranges, which lasted two weeks. This conflict resulted in agreements between Godoy and Napoleon. The Treaty of Badajoz recognized the Spanish victory and accepted the incorporation of Olivenza into Extremadura.
The Aranjuez Mutiny (March 1808)
The deployment of troops belonging to the French Emperor Napoleon in Spain caused a profound unease around the country, which increased the unpopularity of the royal favorite, Manuel Godoy. On the night of March 17, 1808, the riotous crowd against the Royal Palace of Aranjuez sought the dismissal of the minister and the abdication of Charles IV.
Godoy was imprisoned, and the king ceded the crown to his son, Ferdinand VII. Rather than a spontaneous popular uprising, these events have been interpreted as a real coup d'état, resulting from a conspiracy inspired by the palatial faction of the crown prince.
Biography of Manuel Godoy
Manuel Godoy was a Spanish politician and First Minister during the reign of Charles IV. His brilliant career was accelerated due to the particular favor of the monarchs, especially Queen Maria Luisa of Parma. In the first four years of his reign, he ascended from the Cadet Corps of the Royal Guard to State Councillor and was awarded the title of Duke of Alcudia. He was eventually appointed First Minister, replacing the Count of Aranda.
His governing attitude was characterized by Enlightened Despotism. He was always considered an outsider and was hated by the nobility, both as an admirer of the French Revolution (RF) and by the reactionary absolutists who crowded around Prince Ferdinand.
After a brief period in which Godoy was removed from power, he returned to government coinciding with the War of the Oranges. His definitive removal from power occurred after the Mutiny of Aranjuez. He then accompanied the king into exile and died forgotten in 1851 in Paris.