What are the Nueva Planta decrees? – Meaning, history and consequences of the Nueva Planta decrees

The Nueva Planta decrees refer to a series of laws issued by King Felipe V of Bourbon of Spain, between 1709 and 1716. These decrees had as their objective the Bourbon centralization of power in Spain, and the abolition of the privileges of the Crown of Aragon.

What does Nueva Planta decrees mean?

The term ‘new plant’ refers to the new administrative organization that was implemented in Castilla after the War of the Spanish Successionwhich ended in 1714 with the victory of Felipe V.

The decrees covered both the Crown of Aragon and Castile, and had a significant impact on the political system of Spain, especially in New Spain (Mexico).

In the Crown of Aragon, the Nueva Planta Decrees eliminated Aragonese government institutions, such as the courts and the council. Also abolished the Aragonese jurisdiction, which meant a loss of autonomy for the Aragonese territories. On the other hand, in New Spain, there was an administrative reorganization and a further centralization of powerwhich facilitated the expansion of Spanish rule in America.

The Nueva Planta Decrees marked the end of the Hispanic Monarchy and the consolidation of the Bourbon Monarchy in Spain. These laws were an instrument to establish a single law throughout the country and to create a unified governmental structure. In addition, the decrees stripped the territories of the Crown of Aragon of their political privileges, which helped create a more centralized Spain.

In total, there were 14 Nueva Planta Decrees, issued by Felipe V between 1709 and 1716. These decrees affected the Crown of Aragon, since they abolished the fueros and the political institutions of the region.

How many are the decrees of Nueva Planta?

The decrees also established a unified administrative system throughout Spain. They had a hierarchical structure that included the creation of a viceroyalty in New Spain. and the territorial division into provinces. Likewise, the decrees granted more power to the King and his Council of Castile, to the detriment of the territories that had enjoyed greater autonomy in the past.

Next the 14 decrees are detailed of New Plant:

1. Decree of 1707: Established the union of the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon under a single Crown.
2. Decree of 1707: Abolition of the figure of Justice Mayor of Aragon.
3. Decree of 1707: Dissolution of the Cortes of Aragon.
4. Decree of 1707: Abolition of the privileges of Valencia and Majorca.
5. decree from 1708: Abolition of the fueros of Catalonia.
6. Decree of 1708: Creation of the Court of Catalonia.
7. Decree of 1708: Creation of the Council of Aragon.
8. Decree of 1709: Creation of the Viceroyalty of New Spain (Mexico).
9. Decree of 1711: Creation of the province of Navarra.
10. Decree of 1713: Creation of the province of Soria.
11. Decree of 1714: Creation of the province of Segovia.
12. Decree of 1715: Creation of the province of La Rioja.
13. Decree of 1716: Creation of the province of Guadalajara.
14. Decree of 1716: Dissolution of the Council of Aragon.

What is the history of the Nueva Planta decrees?

The history of the Nueva Planta decrees dates back to the War of the Spanish Succession, which took place between 1701 and 1714. The war was caused by the death of King Carlos II without direct heirs, which led to a dispute over the throne between the two branches of the royal family: the Bourbons and the Habsburgs.

The conflict spread throughout Europe, with several allied countries on each side. Finally, in 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht was signed, which recognized Felipe V as king of Spain and set the terms for peace.

After Felipe V’s victory, a process of centralization of power began in the Crown of Spain. Felipe V wanted to establish a governmental structure unified and end the political autonomy of the territories of the Crown of Aragon, which had their own laws and privileges.

In 1707, the first Nueva Planta decree was issued, which affected Valencia. In this decree the Valencian courts were abolished and a new administrative organization was established, which included the creation of an audience and a quartermaster. In 1711, the second Nueva Planta decree was issued, which affected Catalonia. This decree was much more drastic than the first, since it completely abolished the fueros and Catalan laws and established a new administrative organization in the region.

The remaining decrees were issued between 1713 and 1716 and affected Aragon, Majorca and other territories of the Crown of Aragon. In each case, the fueros and regional laws were abolished and a new administrative organization was established.

As for New Spain, the decrees allowed for the creation of a unified governmental structure that facilitated the expansion of Spanish rule in the Americas. Two audiences were created. one in Mexico and one in Limato administer the American territories.

In conclusion, the Nueva Planta decrees were a series of laws issued by Felipe V de Borbón between 1707 and 1716, as a result of the War of the Spanish Succession. These decrees allowed the centralization of power in the Crown of Spain and the creation of a unified governmental structure. In addition, the decrees abolished the fueros and regional laws of the Crown of Aragon and established a new administrative organization in Spain and America.

What caused the Nueva Planta decrees?

• The War of the Spanish Succession: As mentioned before, the death of King Charles II without direct heirs caused a dispute over the throne between the two branches of the royal family: the Bourbons and the Habsburgs. The war that followed resulted in the victory of Felipe V de Borbón and in the need to reorganize the country’s administration.
• The political division of the Crown of Aragon: The Crown of Aragon was a political entity made up of various territories, each with its own laws and privileges. This political division made it difficult effective administration of the territories and it made the Crown of Aragon have less centralized power.
• The need for a more efficient administration: The centralization of power allowed greater efficiency in the administration of the country and in decision-making. By abolishing the fueros and regional laws, the decrees of Nueva Planta allowed for greater uniformity in the administration of the territories and in the application of the law.
• The consolidation of the power of the monarchy: The centralization of power also allowed a greater consolidation of the power of the monarchy. The Nueva Planta decrees removed the political and judicial powers of the regional courts and transferred them to the monarch, which strengthened his position as leader of the country.
• The expansion of Spanish rule in America: The creation of a unified structure allowed a greater expansion of Spanish rule in America. The decrees allowed the create two audiencesone in Mexico and another in Lima, to administer the American territories and facilitate their colonization.

In summary, the antecedents that caused the Nueva Planta decrees include the War of the Spanish Succession, the political division of the Crown of Aragon and the expansion of Spanish rule in America. The Nueva Planta decrees allowed a greater centralization of power in the Crown of Spain and, in addition, allowed a greater uniformity in the administration of the territories, which had important political and administrative consequences.