Nueva Planta Decrees and Bourbon Reforms in Spain

The Nueva Planta Decrees

The end of the War of the Spanish Succession meant the triumph of centralizing and standardizing absolutism. A new organization of the monarchy was established in the kingdoms defeated in the war. It was considered that the best way to govern was with the same laws and institutions, all dependent on the Crown. This new form of government came through the Nueva Planta Decrees, abolishing the privileges of Aragon and Valencia, as a result of the military occupation after the Battle of Almansa. The second decree was promulgated in 1715 for Mallorca, and for Catalonia in 1716. Only the Basque Country and Navarre maintained their historic privileges as a reward for their loyalty to Philip V.

The organization of the territories under the decrees followed the model of Castilian institutions. The Viceroys were replaced by Captains General, serving military and governmental functions. The Audiencias were in charge of judicial affairs, and the Mayors of economic affairs. The Great and General Council was dissolved, and its powers passed to the Royal Court. City administration changed. The system of insaculation (selection of public officials by lot) was eliminated, and councilors were appointed with permanent character. A system of tax collection was introduced with a fixed amount for each kingdom, and the obligation to use Spanish in the new administration.

Reformism Under Charles III

For enlightened politicians, the State should be the promoter of change.

• The Kings tried to reduce the power of the Church. This policy was embodied in what was called regalism, or royal authority over religious affairs.
• There was a tendency to centralize the collection of taxes.
• New sources of income were created, such as the lottery.
• The Banco de San Carlos, the first official bank linked to the State, was created.
• Agricultural structures were reformed. Jovellanos and Olavide drafted an agrarian law under the direction of Campomanes, in which the reforms tended to limit amortization, liberalize land ownership and enclosure, and allow the separation of primogeniture.

In Extremadura, Andalusia, and the Canal, land reform was carried out. Communal land was divided among the peasants in order to create a rural middle class. Repopulation of depopulated territories of Sierra Morena was carried out.

• The law of contempt for legal work was abolished.
• Education was improved and promoted through the Royal Economic Societies of Friends of the Country, to educate professional farmers and artisans, and to project economic reforms.