Reform and Progress in the Eighteenth Century

Abstract

To a certain extent, the eighteenth century was a period of rebirth and unity for Spain, and certainly a period of prosperity for Catalonia. The century, though, started with war and division. In alliance with England, Catalonia was involved in a new civil war (after the 1640 rebellion), albeit of a different sort. It was not a war of Secession, but a war of Succession. The whole kingdom of Aragon rose in arms against Felipe V, the grandson of Louis XIV of France, and fought for the cause of the archduke Charles of Austria. Aragon was defeated and Catalonia, its last stronghold, fought bitterly to the end. Barcelona was finally taken in 1714. Under Felipe Spain became a unified kingdom. Aragon, and especially Catalonia, was thoroughly reformed. A period of recovery and growth ensued in the second half of the century which put Catalonia at the forefront of Spain’s economy.