Lec 16: The Age of Goya - Spain at the Beginning of the 19th Century

Bourbon Reforms and the Rise of the Bourbon Dynasty

• Topic: The Bourbon Reforms and the consolidation of the Bourbon Dynasty.

• Key Points:

  • Philip V, grandson of Louis XIV of France, ascended to the throne of Spain in 1700, initiating the Bourbon Dynasty after the War of Spanish Succession.

  • The Bourbon Reforms aimed at modernizing Spain’s state and economy through centralization, following the French model.

  • Key reforms included:

    • Creation of a unified Civil Code.

    • Abolition of local customs and fueros in regions like Catalonia and Valencia.

    • Expansion of internal markets across Spain (excluding Portugal).

    • Emphasis on tax base expansion, agriculture, urbanization, and early steps toward industrialization.

  • The main goal was to strengthen Spain’s power vis-à-vis France and England by modernizing the state and improving economic performance.

Limitations of the Bourbon Reforms

• Topic: Geographic and structural limitations of the Bourbon Reforms.

• Key Points:

  • Geographic Limitations: Spain’s rugged mountains, arid landscapes, and lack of navigable rivers hindered communication and transportation, making reforms difficult compared to England and France.

  • Structural Limitations:

    • Low population density in many areas, limiting economic activity.

    • Seigneurial regime, where local nobility held significant power, resisted centralization.

    • The Church, with vast untaxed property, deprived the state of crucial revenue.

  • Uneven Regional Development: Spain had three distinct economic networks: the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and Central regions. The Mediterranean’s declining influence was exacerbated by a shift in trade toward the Atlantic.

Charles IV and Political Crisis

• Topic: The political crisis under Charles IV and the growing discontent.

• Key Points:

  • Charles IV (1788-1808) ascended to the throne during a period of increasing unrest.

  • The French Revolution (1789) inspired fears of revolutionary movements spreading to Spain.

  • Charles IV’s reign saw the rise of Manuel Godoy, a favorite of the king, whose unpopularity led to a loss of support for the monarchy.

  • Colonial discontent grew due to economic growth in Latin America and resentment among the criollo elite.

  • Tensions within the Spanish monarchy, especially due to Godoy's influence, led to the Revolt of Aranjuez (1808), where Charles IV was forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII.

Napoleon’s Invasion and the Abdication Crisis

• Topic: Napoleon’s intervention in Spain and the resulting abdication crisis.

• Key Points:

  • Treaty of Fontainebleau (1807): Napoleon used his ties to Godoy to allow French troops to march through Spain to invade Portugal. This led to French occupation of Spain.

  • Napoleon took advantage of the royal family’s dispute and summoned both Charles IV and Ferdinand VII to Bayonne, forcing them to abdicate their claims to the Spanish throne.

  • Joseph Bonaparte was placed on the Spanish throne, prompting widespread resistance from the Spanish population and beginning the Peninsular War (1808-1814).

  • The revolutionary atmosphere in Spain created the conditions for the Cortes de Cádiz and the Constitution of 1812, which established a constitutional monarchy and liberal principles.

The Peninsular War and Guerrilla Resistance

• Topic: The Peninsular War and Spain’s resistance to Napoleon’s occupation.

• Key Points:

  • The Peninsular War (1808-1814) marked a brutal conflict between Spain and Napoleon’s French Empire.

  • Spanish forces and guerrilla fighters engaged in irregular warfare, severely damaging French forces.

  • British intervention, led by the Duke of Wellington, also played a pivotal role in resisting the French occupation.

  • Guerrilla warfare proved effective in weakening French control, while the Spanish Juntas (self-governing councils) opposed French rule and sought to maintain sovereignty.

The Battle of Trafalgar and Its Consequences

• Topic: The Battle of Trafalgar and its significance for Spain.

• Key Points:

  • Battle of Trafalgar (1805): A decisive naval battle in which the British Navy, led by Admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets.

  • The battle secured British naval supremacy and exposed Spanish possessions in the Americas to increased vulnerability.

  • The defeat contributed to the political crisis in Spain, weakening its influence and control over its colonies.

  • The loss at Trafalgar marked a significant blow to Spain’s military and naval power.

The Cortes de Cádiz and the Constitution of 1812

• Topic: The Cortes de Cádiz and the formation of the Constitution of 1812.

• Key Points:

  • The Cortes de Cádiz (1810-1813) was a liberal assembly that worked to establish a constitutional monarchy and liberal reforms during the Peninsular War.

  • The Constitution of 1812 (also known as the Cadiz Constitution) established the sovereignty of the nation, liberal principles, and constitutional monarchy.

  • The Constitution curtailed the power of the monarchy and church, introducing measures for equality and representative government.

  • Although the Constitution was short-lived, it laid the foundation for later constitutional and liberal movements in Spain and its colonies.

Napoleon's Spanish Gamble and the Outcome of the Peninsular War

• Topic: Why Napoleon invaded Spain and the consequences of the Peninsular War.

• Key Points:

  • Napoleon sought to control Spain for its strategic position and to ensure French dominance in the Western Mediterranean.

  • The invasion was also intended to weaken the Bourbon monarchy, which Napoleon despised.

  • Despite initial hopes for Spanish support, the French faced fierce resistance, and their military control of Spain weakened.

  • The war of independence drained resources and left Spain with significant losses, both in terms of territory and military strength.

The Aftermath of the War: Spain's Demographic and Economic Losses

• Topic: The profound impact of the Peninsular War on Spain's future.

• Key Points:

  • The Peninsular War led to staggering military casualties (from 215,000 to 375,000 deaths).

  • The economic consequences included the loss of Spain’s overseas empire, particularly in Latin America, and a significant decline in Spain’s industrial capacity.

  • Demographic losses were severe, with estimates of 560,000 to 885,000 deaths, greatly affecting Spain’s population (around 10 million in 1808).