Spain's 1640 Crisis: Revolts and Monarchy Collapse

The Crisis of 1640: Spanish Monarchy Collapse

In 1640, the Spanish monarchy faced a profound collapse, marked by the revolts of Catalonia and Portugal. The immense economic strain due to the Thirty Years' War had drastically increased the tax burden and led to desperate measures to acquire funds. Discontent surged across all sectors of society, unleashing a secessionist crisis that threatened the very disintegration of the Spanish monarchy.

The Catalan Revolt (1640-1652)

The atmosphere of confrontation was particularly severe in Catalonia. This tension was exacerbated by the attempt of the Unión de Armas in 1632, a plan to centralize military contributions. Following Spain's entry into war with France, the increased presence of Spanish troops intensified local resentment. In 1640, riots erupted between peasants in Girona and soldiers guarding the border.

On the day of Corpus Christi, known as the Corpus of Blood, reapers entered Barcelona. The mutiny escalated, culminating in:

• The murder of the viceroy, Dalmau de Queralt.
• The flight of royal authorities.

The Catalan government, led by Pau Claris, sought French assistance and proclaimed Louis XIII of France as Count of Barcelona to avoid defeat against the Spanish forces. However, a combination of economic crisis, pestilence, and French oppression (which proved worse than the Spanish) led to Catalonia's final surrender in 1652 to Juan José de Austria, on the condition that traditional Catalan privileges were respected.

The Portuguese Uprising (1640)

Meanwhile, in December 1640, an uprising broke out in Portugal. The Portuguese resented Spanish rule, felt they had not received sufficient Spanish aid against Dutch attacks on their colonies, and saw no advantage in continuing under Habsburg domination. The Duke of Braganza was proclaimed King John IV.

This rebellion caught Philip IV and the Count-Duke of Olivares by surprise. Unable to manage two major fronts simultaneously, they focused their efforts primarily on the Catalan problem, allowing Portugal to solidify its independence.

Other Regional Disturbances

The wave of uprisings also extended to other regions:

• In Andalusia, the Duke of Medina Sidonia attempted to create an independent kingdom.
• In Aragon and Valencia, riots and disturbances occurred, though the local nobility largely remained faithful to the crown.

Revolts in Naples and Sicily (1647)

Finally, in 1647, revolutions also broke out in Naples and Sicily. The populace, oppressed by heavy tax burdens, received support from France. However, the local nobility, loyal to the Spanish monarchy, ultimately helped to quell these rebellions.