Spanish plans for American independence
The Spanish plans for American independence were the Spanish Monarchy's plans for the independence of its American dominions in a peaceful and regulated manner.
Projects
The reorganization of the American provinces took place between 1760 and 1810, mainly during the reign of Charles III of Spain; it was an administrative reform that ranged from the creation of the post of Secretary of the Indies to the relocation of territorial units, and tended to centralize power and seek development from an enlightened vision.
Reign of Charles III
During his reign, projects for independence were presented to him, although it does not seem that Charles III took a position in favor or against initially, but it is evident that this was an issue that was present and was being treated very seriously in the Spanish political environment at the highest level. During 1781, a royal commissioner, Francsico de Saavedra, was sent to New Spain to meet with Viceroy Martín de Mayorga and other high authorities, and was dazzled by the wealth and potential of the viceroyalty, but also witnessed the increasingly widespread discontent of all social classes with the imperial system of administration, and the animosity existing between Criollos and Peninsulares, and the dangerous example set by the British North American colonial rebellion, although he differentiated that British North America was "no more than factories or warehouses of transient merchants, filled with troublesome Indians", while the Spanish provinces overseas "are an essential part of the nation separate from the other", noting that "there are therefore very sacred ties between these two portions of the Spanish Empire, which the government of the metropolis should seek to tighten by every conceivable means".
Over the next decade, three different proposals were presented to the monarch: the colonialist proposal of Gálvez, the unionist proposal of Floridablanca, and the autonomist proposal of Aranda. All three proposals emphasized the need for reforms to ensure the survival of the Empire and prevent foreign powers from encroaching on Spanish territory. They were also alarmed by the events that had taken place in the British colonies. Ultimately, the proposal of Pedro de Abarca de Bolea, the Count of Aranda, was chosen over the other two. Aranda's proposal was based on the idea of giving more autonomy to the Spanish overseas provinces while still maintaining their loyalty to the Spanish Crown. He believed that this would address the concerns of the Criollos, and prevent the colonies from violently seeking independence. His proposal was successful in that it helped to ease tensions between the colonies and the metropolis, and contributed to a period of relative stability in the Spanish Empire.
José Ábalos
José Abalos presented on September 24, 1781 a representation that is the outline of a plan for independence. In it he criticized the government and pointed out "the spirit of independence" and "the vehement desire for independence" that reigns everywhere in America. He pointed out that "The true wealth of a state is its men" and believed that it was necessary to allow the formation of nations of their own in Hispanoamerica, which "to tell the truth is not very populated today", while Spain had become a mere tributary of wealth to pay for "factories and industry" in neighboring European countries.
...the only remedy is to get rid of the provinces included in the districts to which the audiences of Lima, Quito, Chile and La Plata extend, as well as the Philippine Islands and their adjacencies, demanding and creating from their extended countries three or four different monarchies to which their respective princes of the august house of Your Majesty are destined, and that this be executed with the brevity that the risk involved and the knowledge of the present system demand.
The idea was to form four states, linked to the Monarchy, but independent:
This is, Your Majesty, the precise means to hinder the foreign enemies from any irruption to which their greed may incline them. This is also the way to avoid any resentment froma venal and corrupt government that might precipitate them to an unfaithful and violent resolution, or that the same disaffection they have for the Metropolis, supported by foreign aid, might facilitate for them, as will undoubtedly happen, the independence that they already see near its perfection in the colonists of the north of this same continent.
According to Abalos, independence was inevitable, and he only proposed that it be achieved peacefully, within the system. His proposal reached the King through José de Gálvez, Secretary of the Indies. It must have been known to the Count of Aranda, a politician and military man with another "reserved" project of independence that he presented to the king "after having made the treaty of peace agreed upon in Paris in 1783.
Count of Aranda
The Count of Aranda proposed the independence of the American dominions from Spain, endowing them with their own structure, and turning them into states, as independent monarchies. He also relies on the reasons of José Ábalos, writing in 1781, and others, but points especially to the potential threat of Louisiana, noting the potential of becoming an "irresistible colossus". Under this premise, Aranda's proposal was:
"That Your Majesty should part with all the possessions of the continent of America, keeping only the islands of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica in the northern part and some that are more convenient in the southern part, with the purpose that those serve as a stopover or deposit for Spanish commerce. In order to carry out this vast idea in a way convenient to Spain, three princes should be placed in America: one king of New Spain, the other of Peru, and the other of New Granada, with Your Majesty taking the title of Emperor, and reigning over the rest of the Tierra Firme".
Under some conditions "in which the three sovereigns and their successors will recognize Your Majesty and the princes who henceforth occupy the Spanish throne as supreme head of the family", in addition to "a contribution" from each kingdom, that "their children will always marry" "so that in this way an indissoluble reunion of the four crowns will always subsist", "that the four nations will be considered as one in terms of reciprocal trade, perpetually subsisting among them the closest offensive and defensive alliance".
"...established and closely united these three kingdoms, under the bases that I have indicated, there will be no forces in Europe that can counteract their power in those regions, nor that of Spain, which in addition, will be in a position to contain the aggrandizement of the American colonies, or of any new power that wants to establish itself in that part of the world, that with the islands that I have said we do not need more possessions".
Count of Floridablanca
The Count of Floridablanca recognized the value of the American dominions to the Spanish Empire and believed that a closer relationship between Spain and the American territories was necessary for their mutual benefit. His proposal aimed to strengthen the unity of the Spanish Empire and create a union of equals between Spain and the American territories. Floridablanca believed that the union between Spain and the American territories would create a powerful force for stability and prosperity in the region. The union would also strengthen the security and influence of the Spanish Empire, creating a stronger voice for the Empire on the global stage, as it would have a common vision and purpose.
"...it is for these reasons that Your Majesty should establish a union of Spain and the American territories, based on equal partnership and cooperation. The American territories should be granted representation in the Spanish government, with a voice in matters that affect their interests. Spain and her territories should work in conjunction to create policies that benefit all parties, including economic development, education, mutual assistance, and infrastructure investment..."
The final decision
After considering the various proposals, King Charles III made a significant decision in 1785. He gave more merit to the proposal of the Count of Aranda, following his plan of installing the infantes at the thrones of the American territories, while the Spanish monarch would be named Emperor, and retain multiple islands in the Caribbean. The King saw this appointment as a way to strengthen the ties between the colonies and the metropolis, maximizing the prestige of the House of Bourbon, and ensuring the loyalty of the Criollo elites, who were becoming increasingly restless.
The appointment of the Infantes as kings was a bold move that sent a clear message to the people of Americas that their relationship with the Spanish Empire was important. It also signaled to the rest of the world that Spain was committed to maintaining its control over its colonies. The Infantes were met with mixed reactions upon arrivals: some saw it as a positive development towards greater autonomy, while others saw it as a way for the Spanish Empire to maintain its grip on power. Soon enough, the Infantes proved to be popular among Criollos, Peninsulares, Mestizos and Indigenous alike. Nonetheless, the appointment of the Infantes as kings was a significant decision of great implications for the Spanish Empire.
Charles III of Spain thus left a lasting legacy in the Americas. His reign, which lasted from 1759 to 1788, was marked by a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the Spanish Empire and strengthening its position in the New World. He recognized the importance of the colonies as a source of wealth and power for Spain, and worked to promote their development and prosperity. Under his rule, the Bourbon princes would become instrumental in shaping the modern territories of Mejico, Peru, New Granada, and eventually Argentina and Cuba. The Bourbon dynasty had a long history in Europe, but it was during the reign of Charles III that they truly became a global power. Today, he is remembered as the Grandfather of the Americas (Spanish: El abuelo de las Américas).
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