Introduction to the 18th century

1. Almudena Corrales
Marbán

2. VOCABULARY
ENLIGHTENMENT
AMERICAN WAR OF
INDEPENDENCE
BOURBON
ROCOCO
NEOCLASICISM
SPONSOR
SOURCE
DOGMA
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
SOCIEDADES ECONÓMICAS
DE AMIGOS DEL PAÍS
DESPOTISM
FEDERAL
BOULEVARD
SEWAGE SYSTEM
https://quizlet.com/almusociales
Almudena Corrales Marbán
FIND THE
SPANISH
WORD !

4. 1. THE 18th CENTURY
The 18th century was a period of transition between the
Early Modern Age and the Modern Age (meaning entre la
Edad Moderna y Edad Contemporánea for us) in Europe.
During this period important changes took place which
contributed to the collapse of the Ancien Régime.
The Englishmen John Locke and Isaac Newton had already
addressed some of this ideas in the 17th century: Locke
argued for the division of powers and Newton the
scientific method as the only form of rational
knowledge. Both contributed with their ideas to the
American Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Indepence
process.
It was in the 18th century when the intellectual movement
called the Enlightenment gained visibility.
The supporters of this movement wanted to use REASON,
SCIENCE and EDUCATION to combat ignorance and
reform society.

5. These new ideas eventually transformed most of the basic structures of the
Ancien Régime.
• In some countries, absolute monarchs introduced social reforms to
improve their subject’s quality of life. However, they did not allow the
people to participate in choosing the government.
• New reforms of industry and commerce contributed to significant
economic expansion.
• The three traditional estates of realm continued to exist, but the wealthy
middle class, or bourgeoisie, became more important and tried to gain more
political power.
• Artistic styles reflected the reforms implemented by monarchs and the tastes
of the upper classes. Monarchs, the nobility and the wealthy subjects
sponsored artists.

6. 2. The Enlightenment: a change
in thinking
Enlightenment thinkers criticised the traditional
structures of the Ancien Régime and suggested new ideas
to change society.
Their main principles of thought were:
• REASON is the only real source of knowledge; beliefs
(something subjective) and dogma (imposition, abuse)
are not considered rational.
• TEACHING and LEARNING are essential. People must
learn as much as possible and share their knowledge in
order to educate and ‘enlighten’ society.
• EQUALITY and LIBERTY are the key elements of an
enlightened society; all people should enjoy the same
legal rights and freedoms

7. Enlightment ideas were spread through newspapers, books, and
through schools and special academies. In addition, Enlightenment
thinkers organised meetings in the salons of their homes to discuss
new ideas.

8. Some intellectuals, such as D’Alembert
and Diderot, created an extensive
collection of writings called
Encyclopaedia. It summarised knowledge
from many areas of study, including
science, philosophy, art and grammar.

9. 2.1. Enlightenment criticisms and
proposals.
These thinkers wanted to make substantial changes in
various areas of society.
1. POLITICS. They proposed measures to limit the
power of absolute monarchs.
• Motesquieu argued for the separation of powers
(legislative, executive and judicial). The three
brunches should be separated from one another.
• Voltaire favoured a strong monarchy, but he also
supported the existence of parliaments.
• Rousseau introduced the idea of popular
sovereignty. He wrote Du Contract Social.

10. 2. ECONOMY.
A group of intelelctuals called the
Physiocrats argued that agriculture was
the true source of wealth. They rejected
Mercantilism, and believed that the state
should not interfere with trade and other
economic activities.
3. SOCIETY
Enlightenment thinkers critised
the social inequalities of the estates
system. They argued that no group
should have special privileges under the
law.

11. Comparative chart

12. 2.2. What about the Enlightenment
in Spain?
In Spain, Enlightenment ideas were spread by a group of imporant
thinkers and politicians that included:
• Jovellanos
• Conde de Floridablanca
1. What did they want?
These people wanted to use Enlightenment ideas to improve economic, social
and cultural traditions in Spain. This was necessary because Spain had
declined during the reigns of the Lesser Habsburgs-the last three kings of this
dynasty.
2. How were their ideas spread?
To communicate their ideas, Spanish Enlightenment thinkers published
scientific and literary papers. They also established schools, academies and
associations like sociedades económicas de amigos del país. New public spaces
were created, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens in Madrid. However, these
ideas encountered resistance from the nobility, the Church, and the
people who defended their traditional way of life.

13. Portrait of Jovellanos created by Goya, 1798,
Museo del Prado
Online gallery information
https://www.museodelprado.es/coleccion/galeria-
on-line/galeria-on-line/obra/don-gaspar-melchor-de-
jovellanos/
Expediente de la Ley Agraria es la
denominación de una frustrada
iniciativa legislativa de los
ilustrados españoles del último
tercio del siglo XVIII. Nunca llegó
a haber una Ley Agraria con tal
denominación.
La libertad de comercio, principio
ideológico básico tanto de la
fisiocracia como del liberalismo
económico, había demostrado ser
de cuestionable aplicación en el
comercio. Las estructuras
agrarias, que soportaban un
incremento de la producción en
respuesta al incremento de la
población (que empujaba al alza
a los precios), no habían sido
reformadas; tampoco se habían
creado redes de transporte y de
comercialización modernas que
sustituyesen a las tradicionales.

14. 3. Enlightenment politics in Europe,
America and Spain
3.1. ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM (DESPOTISMO ILUSTRADO): RISE AND FALL.
(ASCENSO Y CAÍDA)
Enlightened despotism was a new form of government that developed
in some European countries in the 18th century. Its objective was to modernise
the country by combining absolute monarch with Enlightenment ideas.
Enlightened despots (monarcas despotistas ilustrados) had the
following characteristics:
1. Centralised governments to consolidate their power and implement their
policies.
2. To promote reform, they appointed enlightened thinkers to important
positions, for example ministers.
3. To avoid challenges to their power, they tried to make changes peacefully,
through education and new laws.

15. Examples of enlightened despots were:
Catherine the Great of Russia
Joseph II of Austria (Maria Antonieta’s
brother)
Frederick II of Prussia
Carlos III of Spain
Did they really carry out all these
enlightened ideas?
In the end, enlightened despotism did
not succeeed as a form of government because
it mantained the privileges of the estates
system (sistema estamental). In addition, the
legal reforms were not sufficient to
guarantee equality and freedom for all
members of society.
Frederick II of Prussia
Carlos III of Spain

17. 3.2. THE UNITED STATES: AN ENLIGHTENMENT VICTORY
During the American War of
Independence, 13 British colonies on
the Atlantic coast of North America
fought for their independence from
Great Britain. The main causes of the
conflict were:
1. Ideological-the Enlightemnment
ideas of equality formed the basis for
the independence movement.
2. Political- Great Britain refused to
give the colonies representation in
Parliament.
3. Socio-economic- prosperous
middle-class colonists wanted control
over their own commercial activities.

18. The conflict started when the British
government increased taxes. The
American colonists refused to pay them
and then began to arm themselves. Great
Britain respoded by ordering their
armed forces into action and the war
broke out in 1775.
• Declaration of Independence of the
United States of America on 4th july
1776.
• Great Britain recognise the independence
of the new nation in 1783.
• The USA Constitution was written in
1787. It established a federal republic
based on popular sovereignity and
separation of powers. However,
sufffrage was limited, only male citizens
with a certain level of wealth and
property could vote. (not very
democratic…….)

20. 3.3. Changes in Spain
A change of dynasty and the rise of the
Bourbons
Carlos II was the last Spanish king of the
Habsburgs line. He had no children, so he
designated the Bourbon Philip of Anjou as his
heir. When Carlos II there was a dispute that
resulted in the War of the Spanish Sucession
(1701-1714). The rivals for the throne were:
• Philip of Anjou the official heir, who was
supported by France and Castilla.
• Archduke Charles of Austria, who was
supported by Austria, Great Britain and the
Crown of Aragon.

21. Carlos II
Felipe de Anjou (Felipe V)
The war finally ended with the Treaties of
Utrecht and Rastatt, Philip became king of Spain
as Felipe V, the monarch of the Bourbon
dynasty. At the same time, the treaties gave some
of Spain’s territories to Austria, while Great
Britain received Gibraltar and Menorca.
Centralisation under the Bourbons
The Spanish Bourbons, inspired by French
centralised government (Louis XIV), took
measures to establish administrative uniformity
in their territories.
• Central government (Castilla’s laws were
imposed on Aragón). Ministries were created.
• Regional power (provinces were ruled by an
intendant)
• Local government (the figure of the
corregidor was imposed)

22. 4. ECONOMIC CHANGES
At the beginning of the 18th century, the economies of Europe and Spain
functioned in the same way as they had in the earlier phases of the Ancien
Régime. However, important changes took place in the following decades
due to the social reforms introduced by Enlightened monarchs.
AGRICULTURE SKILLED CRAFTSMANSHIP
(Manufacturas)
• Agricultural techniques like crop
rotation were more widely used.
• Agricultural machinery was
improved.
• Repopulation of inhabited areas.
• New crops were introduce, such as
potatoes and corn.
• As population grew demand
increased.
• Domestic system of production still
existed.
• Royal manufacturers were
introduced. They were royal
factories that produced various
luxury goods, such as cristal, cloth,
porcelain or tapestries. Highest
social classes bought these
products.

23. Fábrica de paños de
Carlos III, Brihuega,
Guadalajara.

24. Commerce
Triangular trade.

25. 5. The 18th century society
European society continued to be based on the estates system, but
Enlightenment thinkers wanted to introduced reforms.
• They criticsed the social and economic influence of the nobility and the
clergy. However, these groups resisted changes that would reduce their
dominance.
• Enlightened despots passed laws to limit the influence of the nobility and,
above all, the clergy. Some Church lands and buildings were confiscated
and the number of convents was reduced.
• The wealthy middle class, or bourgeoisie, was inspired by
Enlightenment ideas, such as the value of work and progress. They also
protested against the nobility and the clergy’s privileges.
• The peasants’ living conditions did not improved. The domestic system
enabled some peasants to earn additional money.

27. 6. ART DURING THE ENLIGHTENMENT:
Rococo and Neoclassicism.
ROCOCO NEOCLASSICISM
The Rococo style was popular in Europe
between the 1730s and the 1760s. It reflected
the aesthetic tastes of the nobility, who
wanted homes and decorations that
represented the joy of life.
Artistic style that was popular in Europe
between 1760s and 1830s. It imitated
classical art and reflected the aesthetic tastes
of the Enlightenment thinkers and the middle
class. This style reflected ideas of order and
moral corrections.
Enlightened monarchs remodelled their cities
in order to modernise and beautify them. New
boulevards, public squares, fountains and
sewage systems were installed.
Prado Museum, Juan de
Villanueva.
The swing, Fragonard