The Enlightenment and 18th-Century Spanish Foreign Policy

The Enlightenment in Spain

The Enlightenment was a philosophical and cultural movement that originated in France and England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries (led by thinkers such as Locke, Hume, Rousseau, and Montesquieu). It aimed to achieve human happiness through the application of reason across all areas of life, including culture, science, economics, and politics.

These ideas emerged in Spain under the reign of Charles III (Enlightened Despotism) and developed further under Charles IV, remaining relevant during the Peninsular War. Major achievements of this period include:

• Creation of Academies: Established as centers for knowledge and standardization, such as the Royal Spanish Academy (1713) and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (1744).
• Educational Reform: Renewal of educational plans, notably by Olavide.
• Scientific Advancement: Sponsorship of botany at the Botanical Garden and numerous scientific expeditions, such as the Malaspina Expedition, which conducted global botanical and faunistic research.

Leading figures of the Spanish Enlightenment include Feijoo, Jovellanos, Moratín, and Goya.

18th-Century Spanish Foreign Policy

Spanish foreign policy during the 18th century was defined by the following monarchs:

Philip V (1700–1746)

His primary goal was to recover territories lost in the Treaty of Utrecht:

• Phase 1: Expeditions to Sardinia and Sicily yielded no positive results.
• Phase 2: Following the First and Second Family Compacts (1733), Spain participated in the Wars of Succession in Poland and Austria, successfully securing the throne of Naples and Sicily for his son, Charles (the future Charles III).

Fernando VI (1746–1759)

Maintained a policy of neutrality, despite Spanish colonies being threatened by England.

Charles III (1759–1788)

• Signed the Third Family Compact (1761) with France against England.
• Participated in the Seven Years' War, losing Havana and Manila, though both were recovered in the Peace of Paris (1763).
• Established fishing and commercial treaties with Morocco, Tunisia, and Algiers.
• Supported the U.S. War of Independence, recovering Florida and Menorca in the Peace of Versailles (1783).

Charles IV (1788–1808)

• Initially aligned with European powers against revolutionary France in the War of the Pyrenees (1793–1795). After being defeated, Spain signed the Peace of Basel (1795), losing the eastern part of Hispaniola.
• Formed an alliance with France against England via the Treaty of San Ildefonso (1796).
• Participated in the War of the Oranges (1801) against Portugal and suffered a major naval defeat at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805).