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Jan 1702
The DDLF, Don Enrique, had managed to follow succesfully in the path of his father, Don Felippe, and his fathers colleauge, the Count of Castrillo. Under him Spain had survived, and even continued to develop under the weak minded king, Carlos II. Spain went to war only to keep up its alliance with Austria, the Pope, and Portugal, confining itself to naval warfare where possible (well there WAS the expedition to Africa, which resulted in taking the Swedish colony of Louga). Spain had refrained from conversion attempts, but had continued development of provincial administrations, and settling existing colonies. Almost all colonies had reached provincial status and received tax collectors and governors. Powhatan had recently gone from Trading post to colony. Spain remained completely centralized. Inflation, which had once reached 61% was now down to 47%.
Under Louis XIV France had developed a huge military, and Spain, unwilling to rely on its allies, responded by keeping its own army close or above its ability to maintain easily, and expanded several key frontier fortresses. It also shifted its military focus to offense. Portugal brought England into the alliance, which suited the DDLF, at least in the short term, though it troubled some extreme Catholics. Still, if it was good enough for the Pope....
All this was based on the DDLF's belief that the throne would go to Louis the Bavarian when Carlos died. Though Louis royal status was purely nominal, as his kingdom was part of the Austrian empire, and he was basically a fixture of the Vienna court, at least, not being a member of the Austrian royal family it was assumed he would be independent on the throne of Spain. When he died in 1699, Don Enrique had a difficult choice - France or Austria??
The Don wanted Spain to remain intact, and as independent as possible. Choosing Austria meant a likely difficult war with heavily armed France. Even if the Hapbsburgs won, that would leave Spain in a difficult relationship with powerful Vienna. Giving the throne to the Bourbons, would alienate Austria. But Austria, though more advanced, was less well armed than France. And was constrained by the existing alliance. And a Spanish-French alliance was likely to be dominated in the long run by Spain.
So Don Enrique did the only logical things, he supported the Bourbon inheritance, and insisted on the continued unity of all Spanish holdings.
As of January 1701 the Austrians and Dutch had protested, and were clearly bitterly angry, but neither went to war, broke existing relations with Spain (alliance and vassalage respectively) or even rearmed. Portugal and the Papal States had gradually become less enthused with Spain, though relations remained ok. France and England were VERY close to Spain, in a budding "Atlantic alliance" although this remained informal.
Meanwhile the new king was accompanied by a burst of new administrative talent in Spain, esp some key ministers. Don Enrique immediately restarted the missionizing program.
The DDLF, Don Enrique, had managed to follow succesfully in the path of his father, Don Felippe, and his fathers colleauge, the Count of Castrillo. Under him Spain had survived, and even continued to develop under the weak minded king, Carlos II. Spain went to war only to keep up its alliance with Austria, the Pope, and Portugal, confining itself to naval warfare where possible (well there WAS the expedition to Africa, which resulted in taking the Swedish colony of Louga). Spain had refrained from conversion attempts, but had continued development of provincial administrations, and settling existing colonies. Almost all colonies had reached provincial status and received tax collectors and governors. Powhatan had recently gone from Trading post to colony. Spain remained completely centralized. Inflation, which had once reached 61% was now down to 47%.
Under Louis XIV France had developed a huge military, and Spain, unwilling to rely on its allies, responded by keeping its own army close or above its ability to maintain easily, and expanded several key frontier fortresses. It also shifted its military focus to offense. Portugal brought England into the alliance, which suited the DDLF, at least in the short term, though it troubled some extreme Catholics. Still, if it was good enough for the Pope....
All this was based on the DDLF's belief that the throne would go to Louis the Bavarian when Carlos died. Though Louis royal status was purely nominal, as his kingdom was part of the Austrian empire, and he was basically a fixture of the Vienna court, at least, not being a member of the Austrian royal family it was assumed he would be independent on the throne of Spain. When he died in 1699, Don Enrique had a difficult choice - France or Austria??
The Don wanted Spain to remain intact, and as independent as possible. Choosing Austria meant a likely difficult war with heavily armed France. Even if the Hapbsburgs won, that would leave Spain in a difficult relationship with powerful Vienna. Giving the throne to the Bourbons, would alienate Austria. But Austria, though more advanced, was less well armed than France. And was constrained by the existing alliance. And a Spanish-French alliance was likely to be dominated in the long run by Spain.
So Don Enrique did the only logical things, he supported the Bourbon inheritance, and insisted on the continued unity of all Spanish holdings.
As of January 1701 the Austrians and Dutch had protested, and were clearly bitterly angry, but neither went to war, broke existing relations with Spain (alliance and vassalage respectively) or even rearmed. Portugal and the Papal States had gradually become less enthused with Spain, though relations remained ok. France and England were VERY close to Spain, in a budding "Atlantic alliance" although this remained informal.
Meanwhile the new king was accompanied by a burst of new administrative talent in Spain, esp some key ministers. Don Enrique immediately restarted the missionizing program.
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