Spain begins the 18th century with the death, in 1700, of King Charles II, “the Hexed”, the last monarch of the House of Habsburg, the Spanish Austrias. His death without issue and the desire to bequeath the crown of Spain to Philip de Bourbon, grandson of Louis XIV of France, marked a rupture in the balance of power among European states, leaving France in a hegemonic position. Charles II with this decision intended to ensure the Spanish possessions in Europe. The coronation of Philip V as king of Spain and the maintenance of his rights to the French throne was understood by Austria and England as a challenge, which resulted in an international conflict, the War of Spanish Succession (1700-1713). In this war Germany, England, Holland and Portugal, supporters of Archduke Charles of Austria to the Spanish throne, confronted France that supported Philip. The Peace of Utrecht (1713) ended this confrontation, recognizing Philip de Bourbon as king of Spain in exchange for surrendering his rights to the French crown and the definite loss of the empire in Europe.
The Catholic King does hereby, for himself, his heirs and successors, yield to the Crown of Great Britain the full and entire propriety of the town and castle of Gibraltar, together with the port, fortifications, and forts thereunto belonging; and he gives up the said propriety to be held and enjoyed absolutely with all manner of right for ever, without any exception or impediment whatsoever.
ARTICLE X OF THE TREATY OF UTRECHT
July 10, 1713
The War of Spanish Succession was not only an international conflict but a civil war as it meant the division of Spain into two sides. The kingdoms of Aragon supported the Archduke Charles of Austria, while the territories of the Crown of Castile backed Philip de Bourbon. The military defeat of the Crown of Aragon allowed the new king to remove rights and privileges of these territories and to impose Castilian law, initiating a process of centralization similar to that carried out in France. This process of political and administrative organization was made through the Nueva Planta decrees. Navarra and the Basque Provinces retained their specificities for their support and loyalty to Philip V during the war. Thus begins a process that aims to assert royal authority and combat any limitation on its power. In this sense, and to control the influence of the Church, the Spanish Bourbons defend Regalism, the control of the Church through the regalias or royal privileges (control of documents from Rome, appointment of office, etc.). This situation will lead to confrontations with sectors of the church faithful to the power of Rome; hence Charles III proceeded with the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767.
In foreign policy, the attempt to recover the lost territories in Europe through the Treaty of Utrecht and the desire to curb English expansionism in America led the Spanish kings to sign with France the so called Family Pacts, which subordinated Spanish interests to the French.
