Political Climate in Spain and Italy during the eighteenth century

Summary

The article discusses the political climates of Italy and Spain during the eighteenth century. It highlights that the reign of King Philip V was marked by instability, leading to successive favourites who came and went and the progress was erratic. Ferdinand, who replaced Philip V as king, was less energetic than his father, but his queen, Maria Bárbara, was a talented musician and a better judge of ministers. After Ferdinand’s mental breakdown and death, his half-brother, Charles, became king. Charles was considered enlightened and decisive, leading to a return to normality. In Italy, the Papal States were a conglomeration of provinces ruled by popes elected and controlled by the Sacred College of Cardinals, though in reality, the cardinals had long since relinquished any formal controlling functions. The Papal States were governed by powerful ministers, and Rome’s population relied heavily on the presence of Catholic central bodies.

Table of Contents

• Spain’s Political Climate during the Eighteenth Century
• Italy’s Political Climate during the Eighteenth Century
• The Impact of the Glorious Revolution of 1688-9 in England

Q&A

Q. What was the political climate in Spain during the eighteenth century?

A. The political climate in Spain during the eighteenth century was tumultuous. The reign of King Philip V was marked by instability, leading to successive favourites who came and went, and progress was erratic.

Q. Who replaced King Philip V as the king of Spain, and what kind of ruler was he?

A. Ferdinand replaced Philip V as the king of Spain, and he was less energetic than his father. However, his queen, Maria Bárbara, was a talented musician and a better judge of ministers.

Q. What happened after Ferdinand’s death?

A. After Ferdinand’s mental breakdown and death, his half-brother, Charles, became king. Charles was considered enlightened and decisive, leading to a return to normality.

Q. What was the political climate in Italy during the eighteenth century?

A. In Italy, the Papal States were a conglomeration of provinces ruled by popes elected and controlled by the Sacred College of Cardinals, though in reality, the cardinals had long since relinquished any formal controlling functions. The Papal States were governed by powerful ministers, and Rome’s population relied heavily on the presence of Catholic central bodies.

Q. Who ruled Sicily during the eighteenth century, and what was the population like in Messina?

A. Sicily was ruled by Spanish Habsburgs, Bourbons, Piedmont, and the Austrian Habsburgs. The population in Messina had declined after a four-year revolt.

Q. Which Duchy was the most dynamic in Italy during the Eighteenth Century?

A. The Piedmont Duchy was the most dynamic in Italy during the Eighteenth Century, with a standing army of up to 70,000 soldiers.

Q. Who was the ruler of Tuscany, and what kind of government reforms did he introduce?

A. Tuscany was under the intelligent and enlightening Leopold, who introduced changes to government structures, including a constitution from enlightened reading of writers such as Locke, Montesquieu, and physiocrats, among others. Leopold’s constitution theory was underpinned by a belief in a social contract, giving all citizens an equal right to happiness, welfare, security, property, and liberty.

Q. What was the impact of the Glorious Revolution of 1688-9 in England?

A. The Glorious Revolution had a lasting impact on England’s political structure. The Bill of Rights established the sovereignty of Parliament and prohibited the monarch from suspending laws, interfering with the judiciary or maintaining a standing army without approval. It was essentially conservative in nature, drawing on what had worked in the past and proved durable, contributing to an enduring political settlement that has endured to date.

Q. Was there religious tolerance in England during the Glorious Revolution?

A. Protestant nonconformity was tolerated through the Toleration Act. However, access to public offices and universities was restricted to Anglicans. The Irish Catholic majority was subjected to a series of penal laws, resulting in the exclusion of Catholics from Irish parliament and a sharp decline in their landownership. In Scotland, Presbyterianism was established, and the Episcopal Church was disestablished, causing a decade of division and conflict.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the political climate in Spain and Italy during the eighteenth century was tumultuous, marked by instability and erratic progress in Spain while Italy was governed by powerful ministers. The impact of the Glorious Revolution of 1688-9 in England has had a lasting effect on England’s political structure in the years that have followed. While religious tolerance was extended through the Toleration Act, there were exclusions in public offices and universities restricted to Anglicans.