Bourbon Reforms

The Bourbon Reforms (in Spanish: Reformas Borbónicas) were a set of economic and political legislation promulgated by the Spanish Crown under various kings of the House of Bourbon mainly in the 18th century. The strengthening of the crown's power with clear lines of authority to officials contrasted to the complex system of government that evolved under the Hapsburg monarchs. The reforms resulted in significant restructuring of the administrative structure and the composition of its personnel. The reforms were intended to stimulate manufacturing and technology in order to modernize Spain. In Spanish America the reforms were designed to make the administration more efficient and to promote its economic, commercial, and fiscal development. The crown did this in hopes that it would have a positive effect on the economy of Spain. Furthermore, the Bourbon Reforms were intended to limit the power of Creoles and re-establish Spanish supremacy over their colonies. The reforms achieved mixed results administratively, but did succeed in alienating the local elites of the Americas (which called themselves Creoles) and eventually led to the demise of all overseas dominions of the Spanish crown.