The Enlightenment and Its Impact on Spanish Society
The Enlightenment: Enlightened Despotism
Of the French intellectual movement that developed in eighteenth-century Europe, it focused on the strength of human reason and the triumph of progress against ignorance and fanaticism. It is often referred to as the century of reason or lights. In Spain, the Enlightenment was illustrated rather modestly, both in its ideology and in the changes in practice introduced. The main figures were Jovellanos, Campomanes, Olavide, and the Count of Aranda. This movement was initially tied to the bourgeoisie but was adopted by some nobles and even kings, especially Carlos III, who surrounded himself with ministers and took a personal interest in modernizing the country, starting in Madrid, where important reforms were made. The enlightened criticized many elements of the situation in the country: the excessive privileges of the clergy and nobility, the great influence of religious orders, superstitions, and the lack of interest in science.
The activity was illustrated in several areas:
a) Politics: This influenced the introduction of enlightened despotism, a valiant absolutism in which the king intended to reform and modernize the country. Their motto was “all for the people, but without the people.” There was a desire to change some things while keeping the basis of the political and social system unchanged.
b) Religion: Christianity sought a more authentic practice, less based on external rites and superstitions. Carlos III influenced this trend. Some examples of this trend included the king’s attempts to appoint church officials, the decrease of the Inquisition, and the expulsion of the Jesuits, who opposed enlightened policies and nearly monopolized education, being accountable solely to the Pope.
c) Education: The enlightened considered education the key to progress and sought to spread it among the people. They advocated for more practical and technical education.
d) Culture: Academies were created to establish fixed rules in various disciplines, such as the Royal Academy of Language, History, and Fine Arts. In addition, many cultural institutions, such as nursing homes and botanical gardens, were established. Regarding literature and art, the baroque style was criticized for being excessive, and the Neoclassical style was promoted. This style aimed to restore classical antiquity, valuing harmony, elegance, and serenity. The sober architecture, which featured minimal decoration, was highlighted by Juan Villanueva. Sculpture and painting focused on expressing serenity and moderation in movement. A portion of the population found this style somewhat cold, leading to the occasional use of baroque facades, such as the Obradoiro. This period also marked the early stages of the career of Francisco de Goya, court painter to Carlos IV.
e) Economy: The main objective was to modernize and change the mentality of the country so that work was more valued. This led to the creation of the Economic Societies of Friends of the Country, associations formed by bourgeois and nobles who sought economic development in their provinces or regions. Some figures reached the highest institutions of government and attempted to implement various measures: