Spain: War of Succession and Enlightenment Reforms

The War of Spanish Succession

In 1700, King Charles II of Spain died without heirs. He designated Philip of Anjou, grandson of King Louis XIV of France, as his successor. The major European powers supported Archduke Charles of Austria. This sparked the War of Spanish Succession, pitting France and Spain against Austria, Great Britain, the United Provinces, Portugal, and Savoy. This conflict was also a civil war within Spain, with Castile supporting Philip and Aragon supporting Charles. The conflict began to resolve in 1711. With the signing of the Peace of Utrecht (1713) and Rastatt (1714), Philip V renounced his rights to the French throne but was recognized as King of Spain, though Spain lost its European possessions.

The Enlightenment in Spain

With the advent of the Bourbon dynasty, Enlightenment ideas spread, arriving through correspondence, books, magazines, and travel to France. These ideas took root among a minority of intellectuals and politicians belonging to the bourgeoisie and lower nobility. The Bourbon monarchs implemented a policy of reforms based on the principles of enlightened despotism.

Reforms of the Enlightenment

Population Reforms

In the 18th century, the Spanish population remained within the old demographic regime, characterized by high birth and death rates. Reforms aimed to stimulate population growth through improvements in agriculture and health.

Economic Reforms

Economic Societies of Friends of the Country played an important role in development.

Land Reforms

An expansionary phase addressed agricultural problems through reforms such as:

• The diffusion of new crops.
• The restriction of the privileges of the Mesta (sheepherders' guild).
• The sale of some church properties.
• Land restocking and colonization.

Industrial Reforms

Industry primarily consisted of craft workshops controlled by guilds, which struggled to compete with foreign goods. Various measures were taken:

• Modernization of industrial techniques.
• Promotion of new types of industry (such as the Royal Factories).
• Imposition of customs duties on foreign goods.
• Assertion of the prestige of artisanal activity.

Trade Reforms

Internal trade benefited from infrastructure improvements: roads were widened, bridges were built, and a radial network of roads centered on Madrid was designed. Efforts were made to revitalize trade with America, culminating in the Decree of Free Trade with America (1778).

Social Reforms

Enlightened thinkers criticized the traditional estates of the Old Regime:

• The nobility was criticized for enjoying wealth without performing useful roles in society.
• The clergy were criticized for their large numbers, the lack of training among much of the lower clergy, and their significant ideological influence.
• The bourgeoisie benefited from some enlightened reforms, such as decrees that declared all professions honorable, challenging earlier prejudices against manual labor and commerce.