Spanish Succession War & Bourbon Reforms (1700-1714)
The War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1714)
Political developments in 18th-century Spain resulted from a dynastic change, as the Habsburgs (los Austrias) were replaced by the Bourbons. Consequently, the government in Spain became more centralized.
- Charles II was the last Spanish King of the Habsburg line. He died without heirs, but in his will (testamento), he appointed Philip of Anjou (grandson of Louis XIV of France) as his successor, who acceded to the throne as Philip V.
- The danger of a possible union of Spain and France, and the subsequent disruption of the balance of power on the continent, led the major European powers to endorse Archduke Charles of Austria, second son of the German Emperor, as successor. This caused the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession.
Dual Nature of the Conflict
The struggle had a dual nature:
- It was an international war, which pitted France and Spain against the German Emperor, Great Britain, the United Provinces, Savoy, and Portugal.
- It was also a civil war because it confronted Castile, which favored Philip of Anjou, against Aragon, which endorsed Archduke Charles, fearing the Bourbons would introduce centralist policies as they had done in France.
Treaties of Utrecht and Rastatt
Upon the death of the German Emperor and his eldest son during the conflict, the Archduke became the new emperor. If he also acceded to the Spanish throne, he would become too powerful, causing a disruption of the continental balance of power. Thus, the enemies of the Bourbons signed the Treaties of Utrecht (1713) and Rastatt (1714).
- They accepted Philip V as King of Spain. In exchange, Philip renounced his rights to the throne of France and ceded:
- The Spanish Low Countries and territories in Italy (Milan, Naples, and Sardinia) to Austria.
- Sicily to Savoy.
- The island of Menorca, Gibraltar, and commercial advantages in America to Great Britain.
Bourbon Political Reforms
To consolidate absolute monarchy, the Bourbons:
- Isolated the nobility from power.
- Intervened in the affairs of the Church.
- Hardly ever (casi nunca) convened the Cortes.
- Ruled with the help of secretaries or ministers, who were in charge of different government affairs.
Political and Administrative Centralization
Political and administrative centralization was imposed by Philip V through the Decretos de Nueva Planta (1707-1716):
- The laws and institutions in the Crown of Aragon were suppressed, and the Castilian model was implemented.
- Only the Basque Country and Navarra maintained their fueros.
- A new provincial division was imposed, thus ensuring control over the entire territory.
During the 18th century, Spanish monarchs tried to recover the lands they had lost in the Treaties of Utrecht and Rastatt by participating in international conflicts, such as the Seven Years’ War. Spain invariably allied with France against Great Britain, because these two powers were struggling for control of the seas. These alliances are known as Family Compacts (Pactos de Familia), as both countries were ruled by Bourbons.