Bourbon Reforms: Centralization and Absolutism in 18th-Century Spain

Dynastic Change: The Early Bourbons and Political Absolutism

The arrival of the Bourbon dynasty in the eighteenth century led to the implementation of a model known as political absolutism. This meant that the absolute monarch was the incarnation of the state; his power was limitless, the source of law, and the maximum authority. The first Spanish Bourbons were Philip V and Ferdinand VI.

The Nueva Planta Decrees and Centralization

Through the Nueva Planta decrees, Philip V imposed a centralized model upon the territories of the former Crown of Aragon by right of conquest. These decrees also:

• Abolished the separate courts of the Crown of Aragon, integrating them into the Courts of Castile, which effectively became the sole legislative body.
• Abolished the Council of Aragon, with its functions absorbed by the Council of Castile.

The monarch, supported by secretaries and clerks whom he appointed and dismissed, eliminated the former viceroyalties within Spain and created provinces. To complete this new installation, magistrates were established in the cities of Castile.

Military Reorganization

The importance of an efficient army and navy led to new recruitment systems. Furthermore, the tercio military organization was replaced by the regiment, and a standing, professionalized army was created.

Reforms in State Organization and Economy

The central monarchy carried out administrative and economic reforms that were based on French centralism and Enlightenment ideas.

Administrative and Political Changes

Technical administrative reforms implemented a single management model. The highest authority in the new provinces was a Captain General, who also presided over an Audiencia (High Court). This centralization of political power meant that the traditional courts (Cortes) lost significant power.

Economic and Treasury Reforms

Reforms in the Royal Treasury introduced the following taxes: the equivalente, the única contribución (single tax), and the catastro. Regarding the agrarian question, governments created a general land registry and drafted an agrarian bill, which could not be performed. Free trade was enacted to develop foreign trade, but domestic trade was sealed off by poor communications. Production was dominated by small-scale workshop production resulting from a guild system with little innovation and competition.

Bourbon Policies in the Americas

A significant change was imposed on America in both political-administrative and economic terms. The administrative reforms pretended greater effectiveness and efficiency and included:

• An increase in the responsibilities of secretaries dispatched from the home country.
• The creation of two new viceroyalties: New Granada and Río de la Plata.
• The creation of a regular American army.

As for commercial policy, a new kind of colonial economic exploitation began. Imitating the procedures of England and Holland, different liberalization measures were adopted. In conclusion, trade increased significantly, but the volume of contraband trade was above the legal trade.