Introduction

I am a History major who went to work in other fields and now that I'm retired I would like to return to study my first love, 18th Century history.  I recently read a couple of books that I found inspiring by David Liss.  The need for more in-depth knowledge was apparent.

 

I have decided to read a book each week, in chronological order, about the  people and events beginning in 1700.  I may add some novels and some original source writings.  I am on a budget, so I'm trying to find the most economical sources available.

 

I find the 18th Century to be the most exciting because it is filled with change, revolution, industrialization, war, freedom and a cast of characters that beat all.

 

I started by 'googling' a timeline of the 18th Century:  British Empire timeline .

 

My first book will be:  "Spain under Charles the second, or Extracts from the correspondence of the hon.Alexander Stanhipe,british minister at Madrid, 1690-1699" by– Alexander STANHOPE from Google Books

Week 1 - 1700

In order to gain a better understanding of what led up to the War of Spanish Succession, I read "Spain Under Charles the Second, or Extracts from the Correspondence of the Hon. Alexander Stanhope, British Minister at Madrid 1690-1699"  by Alexander Stanhope.  

The book was available at Google/books at no charge.

Stanhope was British minister at Madrid  from 1689 to 1699, the ten years prior to the death of Charles II and this book is a compilation of letters written by him to various British dignitaries and family members.

This book details a first-hand experience of the causes for the downfall of Spain. These were the conclusions that I drew from the writings for the problems which led to war:

• Poor leadership by an ailing Charles II.
• Poor economic conditions in Spain
• Corruption evidenced by each official not being held accountable to the throne and raising funds for their own use.
• The Inquisition (from his notes, seemed not only to be a religious issue, but also a method of attaching the wealth of the Jews and others out of favor, who were imprisoned, tortured and often killed
• Constant problems of trade due to the interference of the Monarch and his necessity to either raise money or not pay his bills.
• Fractionalization of the court, petty squabbles and favoritism to the detriment of getting anything done
• Poor infrastructure
• Charles II preferred a Catholic successor, and the theme of Catholic vs. Protestant was prevalent throughout the book. He chose the Philip of Anjou, grandson to Louis XIV, who would later become Philip V of Spain
• The succession: 3 major candidates; the emperor; France; Bavaria and also Castillian and Aragonese candidates. The Spanish populace favored a French successor as long as France and Spain were never united. The Grand Alliance (The United Provinces, England, the Hapsburg Empire and most of the German States) that formed against France and Spain fought to keep France and Spain separate

 

The book was an interesting look at the day-to-day circumstances of an empire in decline, and set the stage for the War of Spanish Succession.