What were the Bourbon reforms?
The Bourbon reforms They were a series of measures implemented during the 18th century in Spain and in its American territories. The first regulations began to be promulgated at the beginning of that century, when the Habsburgs were replaced by the Bourbons at the helm of the Spanish throne.
Although some influence can be seen in the first kings of this dynasty, it was from the reign of Carlos III when the illustration became the basis of the reforms. This monarch exercised the so-called enlightened despotism, an absolutist system of government but supposedly aimed at modernizing and improving the quality of life of the people.
The main cause that led to these reforms was the growing weakness of the Spanish Empire, both in Europe and in its colonies. Thus, the changes made tried to rebuild control over their domains. To do this, centralizing regulations were approved in the peninsula, the colonial administrative system was changed and an attempt was made to get more economic benefit from America.
The result of the reforms was uneven. In some areas, such as culture, new organizations and educational centers were created. In others, especially in the political, the measures provoked a revival of Spanish imperialism. This has caused many experts to talk about a second conquest of America.
Causes of the Bourbon reforms
The death of King Carlos II of Spain, of the Habsburg dynasty, occurred without the existence of a direct heir. The Duke of Anjou, a Frenchman from the Bourbon House, was the one who occupied the throne in December 1700 under the name of Felipe V.
This circumstance triggered a war in Europe. Thus, Austria, which did not recognize the legitimacy of the new monarch, faced Spain. France supported the Spanish, while England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, and the provinces of Aragon and Catalonia sided with the Austrians.
The so-called War of Succession ended in 1713 with the signing of the Peace of Utrecht. The agreement recognized Felipe V as king, but forced Spain to abandon her possessions in Europe and allow the English to trade in America.
All this demonstrated the decline of the Spanish Empire, which would not have been able to face its enemies without the support of France.
Felipe V proposed that the country recover its position of power. For this he implemented a series of reforms that would allow it to compete economically, politically and militarily with the rest of the European powers. These measures were the first of the so-called Bourbon reforms, which greatly affected the American colonies.
Internal conflicts
Already before the change of royal house, Spain had suffered several internal conflicts, especially with the Catalans and the Portuguese. This caused many economic problems, in addition to losses of territories that passed into French hands.
The centralizing impulse of the Bourbon reforms, with many measures that sought to unify the peninsula culturally and linguistically, had a lot to do with these conflicts.
Economic problems
The expenses caused by the wars, the mismanagement of finances and corruption caused Spain to go through serious economic problems.
The traditional solution had been to exploit America’s riches, especially its minerals. However, population growth in the colonies during the 17th century had made them need more resources. Along with this factor, the colonial administration was very slow and corruption very common.
On the other hand, England and Portugal increased their commercial activity with the New Continent, although they could only do so through smuggling.
The Creole population was beginning to be a problem for the colonial authorities and, along with the rest of the population, they staged uprisings caused by the imposition of new taxes.
All these factors led the Bourbons to liberalize trade to try to increase income, although in a very limited way.
strengthen your power
As noted, Spain’s loss of power at the international level in 1700 was undeniable. The State was in debt due to war conflicts, trade with America was stagnating and powers like England and France were becoming more powerful.
The reforms approved by the Bourbons sought to reverse this situation. It was about regaining control over the empire and that the American colonies once again became a source of resources.
For this, the measures tried to limit the power that the Creole class was acquiring, as well as reduce the influence of the Church and its privileges. Administratively, this meant centralizing the administration of the colonies.
Likewise, the Spanish monarchs wanted to end corruption, a factor that caused great economic losses.
No less important was the military question. Given the presence of other powers on the American coasts, the Spanish approved measures to strengthen the defenses.
social reforms
In the middle of the 18th century, with the accession to the throne of Carlos III, the social question began to be addressed. Among the measures approved, at least in Spain, were some that sought to dignify work. The Royal Decree of 1783, specifically, affirmed that the offices did not imply a dishonor.
On the other hand, the Spanish monarch approved some control measures for the most marginalized sectors, such as gypsies or homeless people.
Education and scientific institutions benefited from the policies followed by Carlos III. As a follower of enlightened despotism, this king promoted the creation of societies dedicated to science.
education and culture
Despite the boost to culture and education brought about by the government of Carlos III, the measures were very limited. All approved projects were in line with the interests of the monarchy and no system of public education was created.
The cause can be found in the words of Jovellanos, who affirmed that a general education beyond basic levels was dangerous for the social order.
America
Social measures in America were not much more ambitious. In addition, they represented a setback for some social classes, such as that made up of the Creoles. After the reforms, these criollos saw their options to occupy positions of responsibility limited.
political reforms
The political reforms approved by the Bourbons were much deeper than the social ones. In this regard, it is necessary to separate the measures taken in Spain from those approved for the American colonies, although the philosophy behind the changes was very similar.
In Spain
The first result of the political reform in Spain was the legal unification of the different territories that comprised it. The central government eliminated the fueros of the Crown of Aragon in retaliation for its support for Austria during the war.
To this end, it approved the so-called Nueva Planta Decrees, which eliminated all the organisms belonging to the kingdom of Aragon, Valencia, Mallorca and Catalonia. In addition, in areas with their own language, Spanish prevailed as the sole language of the administration. Finally, all the courts of those kingdoms were unified with that of Castile.
This legal unification was accompanied by administrative centralization. The former viceroys of Aragon were replaced by captains general, a figure with military and political powers. Another novelty was the creation of the mayors, some delegates of the king who were in charge of collecting taxes and maintaining order.
Political changes in the American territories
The objective of the political and administrative reforms in the American colonies was, basically, to increase centralization. The first step for this was to reduce the functions of the Council of the Indies through the creation of two secretariats and a Supreme Board dependent directly on the king.
One of the most important reforms was the change of borders of the viceroyalties. Spain created two new viceroyalties, that of New Granada and that of the Río de la Plata with the intention of better controlling the colonies.
Between 1765 and 1771, the Spanish crown ordered several general inspections in the colonies. After them, he carried out a series of legal changes to limit the power of the Creoles.
Intendencies
Historians affirm that the most important reform was the creation of the municipalities, during the 1960s. These were similar to regional governments whose main functions were to control the collection of taxes, promote economic activities and direct the troops.
These municipalities were poorly received by the viceroys, since they limited their functions. This opposition, which was joined by high officials, caused Spain to fail to centralize the administration to the extent it wanted.
military reforms
The military threat against the Spanish colonial possessions was increasing. In 1762, the British had successfully attacked Manila and Havana, prompting the Spanish crown to reinforce its military structure.
In addition, the Spanish did not only have to face foreign armies. In the same colonial territories there were uprisings, violent protests and rebellions.
The first measure was to increase the number of soldiers, as well as the number of officers. The latter were professionals and born in the peninsula. The former, on the other hand, were mostly criollos born in America and, years later, they played an important role in the wars of independence against Spain.
economic reforms
It was also the government of Carlos III that most tried to boost the Spanish economy. In the peninsula, efforts were focused on the most important sector, agriculture, although the property system that favored landowners and the Church was not reformed.
In 1767 the most ambitious project could be launched, when Pablo de Olavide, an enlightened man, organized the colonization of several uninhabited areas of the mountains that were a refuge for bandits.
On the other hand, the Bourbons approved protectionist measures that sought to stop imports and favor the national industry. Likewise, they founded the so-called Royal Factories, state organizations in which some foreign specialists taught modern manufacturing techniques.
Another of the sectors that benefited from the Bourbon reforms was the naval sector. The royal shipyards were expanded and Spain became the third naval power on the planet.
economic institutions
The reorganization of public institutions related to state finances was one of the most important reforms among those that were carried out. The Court of Accounts and the Royal Treasury were transformed to improve their efficiency and all the old officials were replaced.
From that moment on, all taxes had to be controlled by the Royal Treasury, including customs duties. In addition, the government created new consumption taxes and promulgated the creation of state-managed tobacconists.
