The Bourbon Reformation

Question 1

Why did the Spanish War of Succession begin?

Answer 1

The Spanish war of succession (1700 - 1714) began because Charles II died without an heir.

Question 2

Who were the candidates for the throne?

Answer 2

Philip of Anjou and Charles, Archduke of Austria.

Question 3

Why did Germany, Britain, Austria, Portugal, Savoy and the Netherlands form an alliance?

Answer 3

Because they were afraid Spain and France would join into a single country.

Question 4

How was the alliance between Germany, Britain, Austria, Portugal, Savoy, and the Netherlands called?

Answer 4

The Great Alliance.

Question 5

Who did the Great Alliance support as claimants to the throne?

Answer 5

Charles, the Archduke of Austria.

Question 6

Which Spanish realms weren’t in favor of Philip of Anjou?

Answer 6

Catalonia, Valencia, and Aragon.

Question 7

Why didn’t some Spanish realms support Philip de Anjou?

Answer 7

Because Charles represented an Authoritarian model, instead of an absolute like Philip of Anjou did.

Question 8

Who won the Spanish war of succession?

Answer 8

Philip of Anjou

Question 9

Which treaties ended the Spanish war of succession?

Answer 9

The treaty of Utrecht (1713) and the treaty of Rastatt (1714).

Question 10

Which were the consequences of the treaties of Utretch and Rastadt?

Answer 10

Philip had to refuse the French throne, Spain lost its European possessions, as well as Menorca and Gibraltar. England also got to trade once a year with America.

Question 11

How were the reforms in the administration and territory of Spain called?

Answer 11

Decretos de Nueva Planta

Question 12

Which were the reforms Philip did after winning the war of succession?

Answer 12

• Unified all the country
• Removed all the privileges Aragon had
• Castilian language was imposed
• Government was centralised.
• Territory was divided into provinces, governed by a captain general
• He created the figure of the intendant, who supervised the king’s interests and collected the taxes.
• Justice was given over to supreme courts, existing in each province and with sovereignty over local courts.

Question 13

What were Phillip V and his successor’s aims?

Answer 13

To make social reforms to improve social conditions of Spanish subjects.

Question 14

How did the Bourbons try to develop the economy?

Answer 14

Creation of Royal Factories which produced luxuries ( tapestries, porcelain, silk)
Developing of agriculture by cultivating more land, planting new crops (corn)
Irrigation systems,
Building of canals
Colonisation of uninhabited areas

Question 15

Who were the most important Spanish Enlightenment thinkers?

Answer 15

Jovellanos, Count of Floridablanca
Count of Campomanes
Pablo de Olavide
Marquis of Ensenada
Count of Aranda

Question 16

What reforms did Charles III enact?

Answer 16

Populated new lands to cultivate (Alpujarras)
Limited Privileges of Mesta Farmers (Sheepowners guild)
Freed the price of wheat
Promoted Royal Factories
Permitted trade with America from all Spanish ports
Developed culture and science by creating Academies, Primary Schools, Universities and societies (Societies of Friends of the Country)

Question 17

How did the Nobility and Clergy react to Charles III’s reforms?

Answer 17

They instigated riots such as the Esquilache Riots

Question 18

What resulted from the Seven Years war?

Answer 18

Spain lost Florida and Sacramento after the Treaty of Paris in 1763, but won Louisiana from France.

Question 19

What part did Spain take in the American Revolution?

Answer 19

Helped France defeat Great Britain, and acknowledge North American Colonies independence. Won back Florida and Menorca but opened the way to Spanish Colonies’ Independence.

Question 20

When did Charles III die? Who inherited the throne?

Answer 20

Carlos III died in 1788, a year before the French Revolution. His son, Charles IV, inherited the throne and had to face the political problems of the 19th century.