Spanish History: 18th and 19th Century Political Shifts

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Decrees of Nueva Planta and the Regional Government's Purpose

After the death of Charles II without an heir, a succession problem arose, which led to the War of Succession. In this war, two pretenders to the throne faced each other, supported by various European powers. Philip V initiated a reorganization of the state, which implied political and administrative centralization. With the Decree of Nueva Planta, the political institutions of the various foral territories disappeared, except for the Basque Country and Navarre. The civil courts of Aragon were among the few that survived. The Bourbons established a uniform political-administrative structure throughout the centralist model of Castile, which favored monarchical absolutism.

The Esquilache Mutiny

When Ferdinand VI died without an heir, his brother, Charles of Naples, seized the throne. He kept the old secretaries but changed the finance secretaries and appointed the Marquis of Squillace. The new ministers wanted to launch a reform program to modernize the country, but it did not go as expected, and hunger and poverty increased. The Marquis of Squillace was blamed for this, and in 1766, the Mutiny of Squillace erupted in Madrid. The minister banned wide-brimmed hats, which were used to hide the identities of robbers who roamed at night. On the morning of the 23rd, a popular revolt erupted and lasted three days. The mutiny was replicated in many other towns and cities of the kingdom. The consequences were significant. Charles III dismissed Squillace and appointed the Count of Aranda. The revolt was also used as a pretext to expel the Jesuits.

The Courts of Cadiz

While Cadiz was under siege, the Council of Regency held elections amid many difficulties. In 1810, the session opened. The authority of the courts was limited to the revolutionary process. Most of the deputies came from urban middle classes, ecclesiastical backgrounds, and aristocracy. Many in Cadiz favored reform. Members proclaimed national sovereignty and began drafting the Constitution. On March 19th, the first constitution of Spain was passed. The constitution is a long text, and the rights of the individual were carefully considered. After stating its basis, it asserts that sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. The division of powers declared the state a modern hereditary monarchy. The executive power is exercised by the king, who appoints the secretaries but has certain limitations. Legislative power is vested in the courts and the king. The only power available to the king is that of the veto. The courts were elected by universal male suffrage for those over 25 years of age. The judiciary is highly valued. The Constitution recognized the denominational status and exclusivity of the Catholic religion. It also established a standing army and a national militia. The state is divided into provinces with mayors. The members of Cadiz enacted ordinary legislation. In 1811, they decreed:

  • The abolition of the jurisdictional regime
  • The elimination of primogeniture
  • Free ownership
  • The abolition of the guilds

Freedom of the press was established. The courts approved extensive religious legislation. The Inquisition was removed, leading to conflicts with the reactionary clergy. The disentailment of their own and public lands was launched to repay debt and reward military retirees.

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