The Spanish Bourbons

The Spanish Bourbons ultimately decided that their imperial systems weren't cutting it. Not only were they inefficient but they weren't logical enough. They decided to follow Louis XIV's footsteps. Their idea was to consolidate their authority. The reforms intensions were to encourage technology and manufacturing, doing this would ultimately modernize Spain in the 18th century. They were also intended to restrict creoles power and enforce Spain's superiority over their colonies. What I found increasingly interesting was their strong inspiration from the French to reform in the beginning. The spanish seemed to be open to the french's politics and etiquette yet they never never fully replaced the spanish laws and traditions that were familiar to them. Because of this, there seemed to be an inundation of french culture. For example, French goods, books and more french influenced items arrived giving the spanish even more cultural variety.

The most important aspect of the french and spanish relationship would be that when spain turned to france for help when the British and Dutch fleets blocked spanish american ports, this was the first time in history that trade occurred with a foreign nation. Without the spanish's first interest in the french's culture and innovations, I'm sure they wouldn't have helped Spain out. This new trade relationship encouraged the overall colonial economy. ived giving the spanish even more cultural variety.

The most important aspect of the french and spanish relationship would be that when spain turned to france for help when the British and Dutch fleets blocked spanish american ports, this was the first time in history that trade occurred with a foreign nation. Without the spanish's first interest in the french's culture and innovations, I'm sure they wouldn't have helped Spain out. This new trade relationship encouraged the overall colonial economy.