THE COLONIAL CRISIS & THE ENLIGHTENMENT
THE FLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY
The eighteenth century was, for the Spanish colonies in America, a time of contradictions, some lived an economic and demographic boom while others languished and fell They were in crisis.
THE CHANGE OF DYNASTY
Philip IV, who was crowned with the title of Felipe V. Being Felipe V descendant of the French king, the idea that, in the future, Spain and France will get to have the same monarch disturbed the other European powers, especially to England and Holland, who waged war on the New King.
THE BOURBON REFORMS IN AMERICA
Politically, they sought to reinforce real power and limit the autonomy of the
groups' localities (creation of Intendants to supervise to the officials, prohibition
that the creoles occupy the key positions); territorial reorganization (new limits
and jurisdictions, creation of the viceroyalties of New Granada in 1739 and Rio
de la Plata in 1776).
➢ Economically, the Bourbons ordered that the colonies will not negotiate between
them that they bought everything to Spain.
➢ The tobacconists, that is, the state monopoly of commerce were spreading to
more and more products: tobacco, aguardiente, gunpowder, salt, mercury, and
cards.
➢ The alcabalas were the tax on the circulation of goods and they were charged
until in the last town lost from the Andes to the Indians who left sell their
vegetables in the markets.
The indigenous uprisings are multiplied, especially in the second half of the XVIII.
The largest was that of Tupac maru, in Peru (1780-1781), severely repressed,
like the riots in the hearings of Quito, Mexico, and Upper Peru.
The expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 took America an important consequence:
The Crown Topped the lands of the society of Jesus, (Jesus company). So he got
more income.
THE ENLIGHTENMENT
In Europe, things were changing. First in ideas: after the terrible wars of religion that ravaged the continent in the previous century and a half, a new consciousness emerged: did not matter more than a man was good and honest, no matter what religion or opinions he had? And, second, if there were differences of opinion, would not it be better to discuss them based on the reason and not go to blows or war? These two elements, tolerance and reason step to a third consensus: if all human beings they are rational, they are equal , and if they are equal, they must be treated equally.
Antonieta . This sowed fear in all the royal houses of Europe.
FRANCE OCCUPIES SPAIN
Napoleon did not give up. And like Portugal, an ally of the English, he refused to follow him in this action, Napoleon decided to submit by force, coercing Spain to that invaded Portugal, as indeed it did.
The day previous, the Prince Regent, John VI, together with 15,000 people, had fled by sea to Brazil, where he would establish the court for fifteen years.
The Spanish people rebelled against King Charles IV in 1808, who abdicated and left as sovereign to his son, Fernando VII.