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the Enlightenment period
The Enlightenment period, sometimes called the “Age of Enlightenment”, meant significant cultural changes for some 18th-century countries. Important thinkers encouraged people to use reason and experience to make their own decisions, rather than simply following tradition. People started to believe that they could improve their lives through education and politics. Reaching Spain around 1750, the Enlightenment coincided with the reigns of Felipe V, Fernando VI, Carlos III and Carlos IV. -
The Death of Carlos II
Carlo II of Spain (6 November 1661 – 1 November 1700) was the last Habsburg ruler of the Spanish Empire. He is now best remembered for the War of the Spanish Succession that followed his death.
He married twice but remained childless. However, when he died in 1700, the division of his territories was more important than who might be his heir, and failure to resolve that question led to the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701. -
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Felipe V
Felipe V was the first member of the House of Bourbon to rule as king of Spain. The beginning of his reign triggered/sparked the 13-year Spanish War of Succession (1701-1714). In 1724, Philip abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Louis. The new king died later that year, and Philip took the throne again. The sum of his two reigns, 45 years and 21 days, is the longest in modern Spanish history. -
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Spanish War of Succession
an early 18th-century European War triggered by the death of childless Charles II of Spain, when he named Felipe V as his heir. This War finally established the principle that dynastic rights were secondary to maintaining the balance of power between the different European countries. -
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Fernando VI
Fernando VI supported the Arts. He founded botanical gardens and
an observatory, and supported technical and agricultural advances. He died without an heir, so his brother Carlos III ruled after him. -
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Carlos III
Carlos III made far-reaching reforms to increase the flow of funds to the crown. He supported the development of industry, agriculture and trade. He promoted science and university research.
He made cities safer and more hygienic thanks to new sewage systems, water systems, street lighting and pavements. Streets became wider, and monuments and fountains were built. He also created hospitals, museums and botanical gardens. -
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Carlos IV
Carlos IV’s reign had economic difficulties and the French Revolution caused conflicts in Spain. He eventually abdicated the throne, and Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother Joseph became King of Spain. The reign of Charles IV turned out to be a major turning point in Spanish history, and also marked the end of the Enlightenment period in Spain.