SPAIN AND PORTUGAL IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY - Spain and Portugal: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present - page 27

S PAIN AND P ORTUGAL

IN THE E IGHTEENTH

C ENTURY

At the beginning of the 18th century Spain appeared to have reached
its nadir. The extinction of the Habsburg dynasty after a long period of
declining political and military strength left their inheritance prey to
the ambition of Europe's major powers. There was a grave question as
to whether Spain could ever again aspire to that title for itself. And yet
Spain would make a remarkable recovery, preserve its colonial empire,
and experience a significant degree of long-needed reform. By the end
of the century it would be poised for genuine recovery. And then, a
new series of misfortunes would overtake the nation.
Portugal, too, began the 18th century on an upward path of stable
government, increased domestic prosperity, and enhanced colonial rev-
enue. It would also enjoy a period of enlightened reform by mid-cen-
tury. Yet like Spain, Portugal would end the century overwhelmed by
unresolved weaknesses and unforeseeable external forces.

THE EARLY BOURBON REGIME IN SPAIN
The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14) was the first of a series of
international squabbles (Polish Succession, Austrian Succession, even
Bavarian Succession) that would preoccupy the European states during
the first three-quarters of the century as they snatched, like a flock of
vultures, at whatever wounded prey offered itself to their greedy
onslaught. The Austrian Habsburg claimant, Archduke Karl, backed by
England, the Dutch Republic, and lesser allies, sought to overturn the
will of Charles II and secure the whole of the Spanish Empire. Although
much of the fighting took place in distant parts of Europe, or even over-
seas, there was periodic warfare in Spain itself, with France supporting

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