SPAIN DURING THE 17 TH AND 18 TH CENTURIES

SPAIN IN THE 17 TH CENTURY At the end of the Thirty Years’ War through the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), Spain was forced to cede land in the Spanish Netherlands and northern Spain to France Decline in population from 7.5 million in 1550 to 5.5 million in 1660 Due to lack of production, Spain was forced to import food from other nations

High taxes were ascribed on peasants by the wealthier land owning Spaniards Most nobles were exempt from taxes Spain’s economy was based on mercantilism—strict gov’t control Spain’s industries of silk, woolens, and leatherwork were declining instead of growing Spain’s navy had almost vanished by 1700 and the army was made up of most foreign mercenaries

WHAT HAPPENED TO SPAIN? In the 15 th and 16 th centuries, had the greatest empire of any European country. Controlled almost all of South America and Central America As other European nations like England and the Dutch expanded overseas, Spain faced greater competition. The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 by the English is marked as the beginning of the decline of Spain

SPANISH EMPIRE IN THE 16 TH CENTURY

CHARLES II (R ) Considered one of the worst rulers in Spanish history Suffered with illnesses throughout his life Was timid and lacked willpower to lead the nation Spain still held considerable land in Italy, New World, and Spanish Netherlands Died with no heir to succeed him  led tto the War of Spanish Succession

ANTI-ENLIGHTENMENT Spain was strongly Catholic Intellectuals were not interested in the doctrines of the Enlightenment The questioning of the power of the monarch was not something the Spanish government under the Habsburg family wanted to deal with or allow Spain did not take part in the spread of ideas of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment like other European nations With the accession of Philip V to the throne, the Enlightenment was introduced into Spain The Spanish Enlightenment culminated with the rule of Charles III

PHILIP V (R. 1700—1746) Grandson of Louis XIV of France Became first Bourbon king of Spain after the War of Spanish Succession Modernized Spanish army and expanded it to 40,000 men Centralized gov’t and implemented French-style intendant system to supervise provincial governors

Restored Spain’s economy through industry, agriculture, and shipbuilding Revived the almost extinct, Spanish Navy by the end of his reign

SPAIN IN THE 18 TH CENTURY The reigns of Philip V and Charles III introduce a gradual recovery Prosperity in empire, government, and economy elevated Spain’s international standing amongst European powers, but still not considered a leading nation at the time compared to Britain or France

CHARLES III (R ) Formerly the Duke of Parma and king of the two Sicilies One of the most popular of Spanish kings Vested gov’t interest in agriculture, factories, and trade schools

AN “ENLIGHTENED” CHARLES III Suppressed radical Jesuits and scaled back the Inquisition Introduced land reform and agricultural reform Charles chose to ally with the merchantmen of his country and a growing middle class that came with a new prosperity during his rule Landed gentleman of Spain were not happy An advocate of free trade, Charles reduced the tariff barriers that had been the core of Spanish trade policy for centuries.

WARS OF CONFLICT Spain and France seemed to be in constant conflict during the 16 th and 17 th centuries over land in Europe During the Thirty Years’ War, France (Catholic) supported the Protestants against Spain (Catholic) to diminish Spanish power within Europe Confronted by the Ottoman Empire who used pirate raids on Spanish coastal cities to disrupt Spanish trade The Netherlands and Portugal both fought for their independence from Spain in the 17 th century.

RELIGIOUS CONFLICT Under the reign of Philip II, Spain exhausted its overseas riches in financing religious wars against Protestants in Europe and the Mediterranean Spain’s population dropped drastically due to the expelling of the Moors (Muslims) and the fleeing of Protestants during the 16 th and 17 th centuries Lack of labor and loss of intellectuals It won’t be until the 18 th century and the rule of Charles III that the fight over religion is relaxed in favor of more “enlightened” rule