The Spanish Peninsula in the 1630s: Political, Military, and Demographic Challenges

Summary

This article discusses the various military and political challenges that Spain faced in the 1630s under the rule of Philip IV and his minister Olivares. Spain was involved in multiple conflicts across its empire, and Olivares imposed fiscal expedients that angered the privileged classes. France opened up more fronts against Spain, and a systematic rebellion took place in Portugal leading to a weakened strategic position across Spain’s empire. The article also discusses the rise and fall of Cardinal Richelieu, a major figure in French politics in the 17th century, and the French war effort and its limitations.

Demographic, Economic, and Climatic Context in the Spanish and Italian Peninsulas
Political and Military Challenges Facing Spain in the 1630s
The Portuguese Revolt of 1640
The Rise and Fall of Cardinal Richelieu
The French War Effort and Its Limitations

Demographic, Economic, and Climatic Context in the Spanish and Italian Peninsulas

The 1630s was a time of political and military challenges for Spain, but it also faced demographic, economic, and climatic challenges. The population in Madrid decreased due to plague outbreaks, and the agricultural sector suffered due to poor harvests and a decline in the price of wool. The economic decline led to social unrest, and many people were forced to leave Spain in search of work. The climate also played a role in the challenges faced by Spain, with colder-than-average temperatures and a drop in precipitation leading to crop failure and famine.

Political and Military Challenges Facing Spain in the 1630s

Spain was involved in multiple conflicts across its empire in the 1630s, including Flanders, Brazil, the Caribbean, North Italy, Southwest Germany, Alsace, Lorraine, Roussillon, and the western Pyrenees. Olivares imposed fiscal expedients and made extraordinary demands on the privileged classes, leading to his government being called a tyranny by some. While Olivares attempted to encourage French discontented elements to join the Spanish cause, France opened up more fronts against Spain, and the duchy of Milan was threatened from 1635 by a war in which the French joined with other states. Meanwhile, in Catalonia, Olivares attempted to raise forces for an army against France, but the Catalan Estates refused royal demands and compromised Olivares. A systematic rebellion took place in Portugal, where populist hysteria against the Portuguese New Christian financiers spread. As a result, Spain had a weakened strategic position across its empire.

The Portuguese Revolt of 1640

The Portuguese revolt of 1640 was a successful revolt that saw John, duke of Braganza, crowned as king of Portugal. The revolt was due in part to the growing unrest in Portugal and the fact that Braganza had the best claim to be the legitimate heir to the Portuguese crown. The new regime formed alliances with France and Sweden and referred to the previous regime as el tirano. Despite the successful outcome of the revolt, Portugal was left vulnerable due to its weakened state, and it was unable to defend itself against Dutch and British attacks.

The Rise and Fall of Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu was a major figure in French politics in the 17th century. Despite opposition from powerful aristocrats, Richelieu became a powerful influence by aligning himself with Marie de Médicis and later with Louis XIII. Richelieu’s political testament, based on documents compiled by his cabinet, emphasised the importance of reason in governance and the need for a unified France. However, his opponents continued to conspire against him even after his death.

The French War Effort and Its Limitations

The French war effort in the 1630s and early 1640s was lacklustre, with poor campaigns and limited success. However, the French ministers ultimately achieved slow-won success in the 1640s, largely due to greater autonomy granted to military enterprisers like Henri de La Tour d’Auvergne, Viscount Turenne. Despite the challenges faced by the French, their anti-Spanish sentiment continued to grow, and they ultimately achieved some success in their military campaigns.

Q&A

What were some of the economic challenges faced by Spain during the 1630s?

– Spain faced economic decline, crop failure, and famine due to poor harvests, a decline in the price of wool, and colder-than-average temperatures.
What was the political will of Richelieu and Olivares?

– Richelieu emphasized the importance of reason in governance and the need for a unified France, while Olivares attempted to encourage French discontented elements to join the Spanish cause.
What was the outcome of the Portuguese revolt of 1640?

– The revolt was successful, and John, duke of Braganza, was crowned as king of Portugal. The new regime formed alliances with France and Sweden.
Why was Portugal left vulnerable after the revolt?

– Portugal was left vulnerable due to its weakened state, and it was unable to defend itself against Dutch and British attacks.
How did French ministers ultimately achieve success in the 1640s?

– French ministers achieved success in the 1640s largely due to greater autonomy granted to military enterprisers like Henri de La Tour d’Auvergne, Viscount Turenne.

Conclusion

The 1630s was a time of political and military challenges for Spain, and the country faced demographic, economic, and climatic challenges as well. Despite these challenges, the revolt in Portugal was successful, which weakened Spain’s position across its empire. The rise and fall of Cardinal Richelieu was a major development in French politics in the 17th century, and his political testament emphasized the importance of reason in governance and the need for a unified France. In the end, French ministers achieved some success in their military campaigns despite the challenges faced.