Primeros Borbones, Guerra de Sucesión y Reforma del Estado

Summary

The video script delves into the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) and its impact on Spain and Europe. It describes the death of King Carlos I of Spain without an heir, leading to the nomination of the French Prince Felipe V as his successor. This sparks a European and civil conflict, as various factions, including the former Crown of Aragón, oppose Felipe. The script highlights key battles, the influence of foreign powers, and the centralization of Spanish rule under the Bourbon dynasty. The Treaty of Utrecht ends the war, marking the decline of Spain’s empire and shifting the European balance of power.

Takeaways

• 👑 Carlos I of Habsburg, King of Spain, dies without descendants, and designates French Prince Philip of Bourbon as his successor.
• ⚔️ The War of Spanish Succession ensues, involving major European powers and a civil war within Spain between supporters of Philip and Archduke Charles.
• 🏰 The former kingdoms of the Crown of Aragon (Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Mallorca) support Archduke Charles, while the rest back Philip V, the new Bourbon dynasty.
• 🛡️ Philip V wins the decisive Battle of Almansa in 1707, leading to the suppression of the Aragonese fueros (regional laws and privileges).
• 🗺️ In 1711, Archduke Charles becomes Emperor Charles VI of Austria, shifting focus away from Spain, but imperial forces still control parts of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
• 📜 The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 marks the end of the war, with England gaining Gibraltar and Menorca, and Spain ceding territories to Austria in exchange for recognition of Philip V as king.
• 🚢 Spain grants England trade rights with Spanish America and access to the Newfoundland fisheries, signaling the decline of Spain's global power.
• 👑 Philip V renounces claims to the French throne, and enacts the Salic Law, barring female succession, which will lead to future Carlist wars.
• 💥 After the fall of Barcelona in 1714, Philip V imposes the Nueva Planta decrees, centralizing administration and abolishing regional laws and privileges in defeated territories.
• 🏛️ The Nueva Planta reforms modernize Spain by centralizing governance, establishing a unified tax system, and enhancing royal control, laying the foundation for a modern Spanish state.

Q & A

Who was Carlos I of Spain, and what was significant about his death?

Carlos I of Spain was a member of the Habsburg dynasty. His death was significant because he left no direct descendants, leading to a power struggle over the Spanish throne, and he named the French prince, Felipe of the Bourbon dynasty, as his successor.

What was the main cause of the War of Spanish Succession?

The War of Spanish Succession began because various European powers, including Austria, England, and the Dutch Republic, contested the legitimacy of Felipe V's claim to the Spanish throne, as they feared the unification of France and Spain under the Bourbon dynasty.

Which European powers supported Felipe V during the War of Spanish Succession?

Felipe V was supported by France, led by his grandfather King Louis XIV, along with Portugal and some German princes.

Which regions in Spain opposed Felipe V, and why?

The regions of the former Crown of Aragon, including Aragón, Catalonia, Valencia, and Mallorca, opposed Felipe V. They supported Archduke Charles of Austria because he promised to respect their traditional laws and privileges.

What was the significance of the Battle of Almansa in 1707?

The Battle of Almansa was a crucial victory for the Bourbon forces of Felipe V. It allowed the Bourbon army to gain control of Valencia and Aragón, stripping these regions of their ancient privileges and replacing them with the centralized laws of Castile.

What were the main outcomes of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713?

The Treaty of Utrecht ended the War of Spanish Succession, confirming Felipe V as the King of Spain but forcing Spain to cede significant territories, including Gibraltar and Menorca to England, and various territories in Italy and the Low Countries to the Austrian Empire.

How did the war affect the internal governance of Spain?

The war led to the centralization of Spain's administration. Felipe V issued the Nueva Planta decrees, which abolished the traditional laws of the Crown of Aragon and replaced them with centralized Castilian laws, modernizing the state's administration and creating a uniform legal system.

What role did the Princess of the Ursinos play in Felipe V's court?

The Princess of the Ursinos, a French noblewoman, served as the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Maria Luisa Gabriela of Savoy. She was a trusted confidante and wielded significant influence in the Spanish court, particularly after the queen's death.

What were the long-term consequences of the War of Spanish Succession for Catalonia?

Catalonia faced severe repression following the war. The region's traditional rights and privileges were abolished, its universities were closed, and the city of Barcelona was heavily punished after a heroic but unsuccessful defense against Bourbon forces.

Why did Felipe V's renunciation of his claim to the French throne matter to the European powers?

Felipe V's renunciation of his claim to the French throne was crucial because it alleviated fears of a possible unification of France and Spain under one monarch, which would have drastically shifted the balance of power in Europe.