5. Enlightened despotism in Spain The reformist policy of Carlos III Carlos III (1759-1788) was Spain's greatest enlightened despot. (19) He was concerned with improving the countr y's economy, the well-being of its subjects and the organisation of the state. Early in his reign, he was supported by Italian ministers like Esquilache and Grimaldi, who introduced reforms that went against the interests of the privileged groups. In 1766, the Esquilache Riots broke out, caused by a cost-of-living crisis and the resulting popular discontent. (18) The rioters demanded that Esquilache be dismissed, and he was replaced. It is possible that the privileged groups supported this rebellion to get rid of Esquilache. From then on , the king surrounded himself with Spanish ministers, such as the Count of Aranda , Campomanes, Floridablanca and Jovellanos. (21) They applied various measures to modernise the countr y. For example: They undertook economic reforms. Trade with America was liberalised and royal factories were created . Agricultural development was promoted by reducing the privileges of the Mesta . Irrigation canals were built. New land was farmed . There were initiatives such as the colonisation of Sierra Morena, which was repopulated with people who were given land to cultivate. Carlos III wanted to reduce the power of the Church . He limited the powers of the Inquisition . The Jesuits were accused of provoking the Esquilache Riots and expelled from Spain . Ef forts were made to improve education . Primar y schools were built and secondar y and university curricula were renewed. In addition , Economic Societies of Friends of the Countr y were created , in which enlightened thinkers promoted the use of new techniques and scientific knowledge in economic activity. Despite the reforms, enlightened despotism had limited ef fects, since privileged groups opposed any reform that questioned the foundations of the Old Regime. In foreign policy, Spain failed to recover Gibraltar, but it did recover Menorca . In addition , Spain supported the American colonies when they fought the British in the American Revolution . COMMUNICATION The creation of schools and academies in Spain favoured scientific expeditions. Investigate the MalaspinaBustamante Expedition and make a class presentation about it. Assess the importance of the expedition. Think. Why did the Crown pay for this type of expedition? 19. Ornatos de la calle de las Platerías con motivo de la entrada en Madrid de Carlos III, by Lorenzo Quirós. This is part of a series of five paintings depicting street decorations to celebrate the arrival of Carlos III to Madrid on 13th July 1760. 18. Esquilache Riots. Wide-brimmed hats and long capes were banned by decree to modernise customs. This caused great resentment towards minister Esquilache. 24
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