Spain's 18th Century: Succession, Utrecht, and Foreign Policy

War of Spanish Succession and Treaty of Utrecht

In 1700, Charles II died childless and named Philip D'Anjou as his successor. However, Philip was also a direct heir to the French throne, which violated the principle of the balance of power established by the *Peace of Westphalia* in 1648. Consequently, Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Portugal, Savoy, and the Kingdom of Aragon supported Archduke Charles of Austria. Their reasoning was that his succession would not disrupt the balance of power, especially since the primary contender, Joseph I, was already the Holy Roman Emperor.

The war erupted in November when Philip D'Anjou ascended the Spanish throne, signaling France's political dominance. Years later, Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, died childless. This meant Archduke Charles, the pretender to the Spanish throne, would now ascend to the Austrian throne.

Consequently, negotiations led to the signing of the *Treaty of Utrecht* in 1713, which formally recognized Philip V as King of Spain. In exchange, Spain ceded territories: Savoy received Sicily; Austria gained Flanders, Luxembourg, the Milanese, Sardinia, and Naples; and Great Britain acquired Gibraltar and Menorca. Furthermore, the treaty granted Britain significant concessions: permission for direct trade with Spanish colonies in America (*Asiento de Negros* – the right to sell African slaves to Spanish colonies), and the *Navío de Permiso* (a limited right to send one ship per year to trade with Spanish America). These provisions significantly consolidated Britain's maritime and commercial empire.

Even after the peace was signed, Philip V continued to face resistance from the Kingdom of Aragon, with Barcelona being the last city to resist his army. Thus, on *September 11, 1714*, Philip V's army occupied Barcelona. This date is now commemorated annually as the National Day of Catalonia (*Diada Nacional de Catalunya*).

Spanish Foreign Policy in the 18th Century

Spain's foreign policy in the 18th century was shaped by the need to improve domestic affairs and address military weakness. It focused on two key diplomatic areas:

• 1. Revision of the Treaty of Utrecht: Efforts to recover former Spanish possessions in Italy, Menorca, and Gibraltar.
  
• 2. Family Pacts (*Pactos de Familia*): Alliances with the Bourbon monarchs of France to counter British naval superiority and protect Spanish interests, particularly in the American colonies.

Overall, these alliances proved largely favorable to Spain. Three such agreements were signed during the reigns of Philip V, Ferdinand VI, and Charles III.

Through the first two pacts, Spain managed to regain some possessions in Italy, though a policy of neutrality was also pursued in certain foreign affairs.

The third agreement aimed to curb British expansionism in America. This led Spain to participate in the *Seven Years' War* (supporting France against Britain) and later in the *American War of Independence*. In the latter conflict, Spain successfully recovered some territories lost previously, notably Florida and Menorca.