Early Bourbon Reforms in New Spain

Early Bourbon Reforms in New Spain

• The Spanish monarchy, under Charles II, was weak and ineffective in the late 17th century
• Charles II, known as "The Bewitched," was incompetent to rule
• The Spanish succession crisis arose due to his lack of heirs
• Philip V, grandson of Louis XIV of France, inherited the Spanish throne in 1700
• Philip V initiated Bourbon reforms to revitalize Spain and its administration and financial systems
• Spain's administrative policies and centralized authority from France were implemented to strengthen Spain
• The Spanish army and navy were strengthened under Philip V
• Philip V focused on improving the internal economy, addressing diminished productivity and high foreign debt
• Spanish trade with the colonies was hindered by non-Spanish merchants
• Silver remittances from the colonies were a significant source of revenue, but often under non-Spanish control

Shifts in the Colonial Economy

• Ferdinand VI's reign (1746-1759) brought relative calm, followed by Charles III's (1759-1788) active reforms
• In 1765, José de Gálvez was sent as a visitor general to New Spain to stimulate mining production
• Gálvez's tour and reforms aimed at increased extraction of wealth from the colony through improved taxation strategies and bureaucratic reform
• Efforts were made to boost production and trade, opening new ports and encouraging trade between colonies
• Despite increased silver production, factors like reduced liquidity had negative economic consequences in New Spain
• By the late 18th century, New Spain became the most profitable of Spain's American colonies, contributing almost ¾ of the empire's profits

Shifts in Colonial Administration

• Charles III established a professional standing army in New Spain in 1762 to address northern border security
• The northern border territories (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California) were given more military focus
• The commandant general of the Interior Provinces (Interior Provinces) was created in 1776 to organize and administer the northern territories, separate from the viceroy
• The Bourbon reforms aimed to streamline and improve colonial administration by appointing intendants and subdelegados
• These officials replaced previously appointed governors
• Intendants were tasked with managing royal monopolies, collecting taxes and improving general administration

Church Reforms

• Bourbon reforms aimed to curtail the power and influence of the Catholic Church in colonial affairs
• These measures were not an attack on the Church's spiritual authority but rather the extent and control it held over colonial land and assets across the different levels of society
• Significant reforms targeted the Jesuits order, which was expelled from the empire in 1767 due to perceived political influence, and perceived close ties to the Pope, as well as other political and economic factors

Effects of Bourbon Reforms

• New Spain experienced significant economic growth during the second half of the 18th century, a consequence of increased mining production and trade
• However, this growth did not benefit all segments of society, with a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor
• The Bourbon reforms brought economic and social changes with both positive and negative impacts on both Spain and New Spain
• Reforms did not resolve deeper social and economic inequality issues which contributed to rising resentment within the colonies

Explore the transformative early Bourbon reforms initiated by Philip V in New Spain. Learn how the monarchy's efforts aimed to rejuvenate the Spanish economy, strengthen military forces, and centralize administrative power. Delve into the economic shifts and impacts these reforms had on colonial governance and trade.