Bourbon Reforms in 18th Century Spain: Centralization, Administration, and the Enlightenment
Bourbon Reforms in 18th Century Spain
Philip V’s Reign (1700-1746): Centralization and Administrative Reforms
Philip V, often unable to perform his functions, delegated power to figures like Cardinal Alberoni and the Baron of Rippedá, before establishing an absolutist bureaucracy including José Patiño. His reign was briefly interrupted by his son Louis I in 1724.
Centralization
The objective was a French-style standardization and centralization:
- New Central Government: The council system was reformed, not abolished. The Council of Castile became paramount, and secretaries evolved into powerful, specialized ministers (State, War, Navy and the Indies, Grace and Justice, and Finance).
- Nueva Planta Decrees (1707-1716): Applied to Valencia, Aragon, Mallorca, and Catalonia, these decrees suppressed regional privileges and institutions, imposing Castilian laws and structures. Viceroys were eliminated, Catalan was marginalized in courts, inter-realm trade barriers were removed, and a new tax system was implemented. However, uniformity wasn’t complete; the Crown of Aragon retained some civil rights, and the Basque Country and Navarre preserved their rights and customs, including their Courts and Viceroy (Navarre).
Cortes were rarely called, only three times during the century for the swearing-in of heirs to the throne.
Administrative Reforms
Philip V established a new land administration. Viceroys were replaced, and the territory was divided into provinces headed by Mayors (royal representatives), forerunners of 19th-century Civil Governors. Their responsibilities included tax collection, troop recruitment, public order, and infrastructure development. In sensitive areas (former Crown of Aragon), Captain Generals replaced viceroys, holding military and judicial power.
Army reforms included the creation of regiments to replace tercios, with recruitment through volunteers (often foreign), mandatory conscription of vagrants, and a system where each region provided a fifth of the army. A strong navy was developed, with major shipyards established in El Ferrol, Cartagena, and Cádiz.
Religious Policy
Following the French model, the Bourbons implemented a regalist policy. The 1753 Concordat granted the king universal patronage rights over church appointments, allowing him to present candidates to the Pope and collect revenues from vacant bishoprics.
Fernando VI’s Reign: Marquis de la Ensenada’s Reforms
Fernando VI, leaving governance to advisors like the Marquis de la Ensenada and José de Carvajal, focused on improving the country’s prosperity. Ensenada, holding multiple ministerial posts, aimed to improve management of American territories, redirect foreign policy towards the Atlantic, and strengthen the military through increased revenue. He advocated neutrality to allow internal reconstruction, though this was challenged by the Second Family Compact.
Ensenada also attempted to implement a single, wealth-based tax in Castile, replacing older, inefficient systems. The Ensenada Cadastre (1750) assessed the wealth of Castilian towns and cities for fairer taxation. While the new tax system faced opposition, Ensenada’s financial reforms significantly increased crown revenue.
Other reforms included:
- Extensive public works: road construction (e.g., the road to La Coruña) and the Canal de Castilla.
- Concordat with the Vatican: strengthening royal power through patronage.
Ensenada was eventually dismissed and exiled due to alleged war plans against England.
Carlos III’s Reign: Enlightened Despotism
Carlos III, arriving from Naples, implemented reforms characterized by rationalization and enlightened progress. He used absolute power to enact reforms, aiming to improve the people’s situation while strengthening the state and royal power. While not revolutionary, his reforms sought to limit privileges and improve the lives of the people without questioning the fundamental principles of the Old Regime.
Carlos III retained some of Ferdinand VI’s secretaries but appointed the Italian Marquis de Esquilache as finance minister. Other key figures included Campomanes and Floridablanca.