Bourbon Reforms in 18th Century Spain: Administration, Finance, and Demographics

Political and Administrative Reforms

The Bourbons centralized administration, reformed finances, and strengthened the political and administrative structure. The Army transformed the former organization, in which each of the peninsular kingdoms had its own laws and institutions.

Centralization and the Nueva Planta Decrees

Felipe V, in response to the opposition found in the territories of the Crown of Aragon during the War of Succession, promulgated the Decrees of Nueva Planta (1707, 1715, and 1716). These decrees suppressed the laws and institutions of Aragon, Valencia, Mallorca, and Catalonia, and the Castilian model was implanted. Only the Basque Country and Navarra kept their rights and privileges as a reward for their loyalty to the King.

Territorial Administration

For administrative purposes, the territory was divided into provinces ruled by a Captain General. Key administrative structures were established:

• Audiences: Created in each province for the administration of justice.
• Intendants: Appointed as representatives of the central government, responsible for collecting taxes and promoting provincial development.

Financial Reforms

The finance reforms forced the territories of the Crown of Aragon to contribute to the expenditure of the monarchy in a manner equivalent to that of Castile. In addition, tax collection improved significantly with the completion of the first registers or censuses of the rural and urban properties of the residents of a municipality. These allowed the Crown to know the real wealth of the country.

Military and Naval Improvements

The Army improved with the creation of regiments, made up of soldiers from the same branch (infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineers), and with the founding of military academies. The Navy increased the number of warships and benefited from the improved training of officers.

Demographic Changes in 18th Century Spain

In the eighteenth century, the Spanish population remained within the Old Demographic Regime, characterized by high birth rates and mortality. However, the population increased throughout the century, rising from 7.5 million to 10.5 million between 1717 and 1797. This growth was concentrated primarily on the periphery of the peninsula. The growth also affected the cities, although only Madrid and Barcelona exceeded 100,000 inhabitants.

Measures were implemented to stimulate population growth and settlement, including:

• Promotion of birth rates.
• Immigration control.
• Improvements in agriculture.
• Advancements in public health and medicine.