Spain in the 17th and 18th Centuries: Economy, Society, and War of Succession
Classified in History
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Economic and Social Developments in 17th Century Spain
Economic and Social Developments in the Seventeenth Century: Generally, one can speak of an economic depression with a mild recovery in the last third of the century (during the reign of Charles II).
- Agriculture: Productivity was very low due to a lack of manpower and archaic methods. The areas of irrigation show the impact of the expulsion of the Moors.
- Husbandry: There was a major decline in transhumance due to the difficulty of exporting wool.
- Industry: Since the previous century, Spain lost competitiveness compared to northern Europe due to inflation and the rising crisis in wages. From 1620, there was a decline in the interior wool textile industry.
- Commerce: Trade was hampered by poor communications and internal customs. External trade fell due to the decline of the shipbuilding industry, the lack of large commercial companies, and financial societies.
Society
There was a strong demographic crisis (a decrease of less than 3 million people by mid-century due to epidemics, wars, etc.) with a slight recovery in the last third of the century in Castile.
- The Nobility: The nobility remained the most prestigious and powerful establishment, seeking royal favor and monopolizing the senior management of the administration.
- The Clergy: The clergy experienced significant growth due to the harsh living conditions and popular religiosity.
- The Lower Classes: The lower classes faced major challenges, with a very small bourgeoisie that had little economic and political power.
The War of Succession and the System of Utrecht
Charles II died in 1700 without issue, leaving the Spanish throne to Philip of Anjou, grandson of French King Louis XIV, in exchange for giving up his rights to the French throne. When the French parliament considered the option of Philip V ascending to the throne of France, a coalition of European countries (Austria, Great Britain, Holland, and Portugal) formed to stop him, naming Archduke Charles as their candidate for the Spanish throne.
At the start of the war, Philip V had the support of France and Castile, while the allies had the support of Aragon and Catalonia (due to the pact-based politics pursued by the Habsburgs). The war ended in 1711, due to the death of Emperor Joseph I, which led to a negotiated end to the conflict. Archduke Charles inherited the throne of Austria, and the coalition changed its strategy against a possible Austrian hegemony.
By the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) and Rastadt (1714), Philip V was accepted as King of Spain in exchange for his resignation to the French throne. Spain ceded territories (England received Gibraltar and Menorca, Austria received territories in Italy and the Netherlands) and granted concessions (England received the right to supply African slaves to the Spanish colonies and the right to send an annual English ship of 500 tons to trade with Spanish colonies).