A Basque trade area History of the Basques

french map of basque districts (mid-18th century)

the basques welcomed philip v—from lineage of king henry iii of navarre—to crown of castile (1700), absolutist outlook inherited grandfather hardly withstand test of basque contractual system. 1713 treaty of utrecht (see basque sailors above) , 1714 suppression of home rule in kingdom of aragon , catalonia disquieted basques. did not take long until spanish king, relying on prime minister giulio alberoni, attempted enlarge tax revenue , foster spanish internal market meddling in basque low-tax trade area , moving basque customs ebro coast , pyrenees. overseas , customary cross-pyrenean trade—and extension home rule—under threat, royal advance responded western basques trail of matxinadas, or uprisings, shook 30 towns in coastal areas (biscay, gipuzkoa). spanish troops sent over, , widespread rebellion quelled in blood.

in wake of events, expedition led duke of berwick dispatched quadruple alliance broke spanish territory western pyrenees (april 1719) find gipuzkoans, biscayans , Álavans making formal, conditional recognition of french rule (august 1719). confronted collapsing basque loyalty, king philip v backed down on designs in favour of bringing customs ebro (1719). pardon leaders of rebellion in 1726 paved way understanding of basque regional governments madrid officials, , ensuing foundation of royal guipuzcoan company of caracas in 1728. basque districts in spain kept operating virtually independent republics.

the guipuzcoan company added prosperity of basque districts, exporting iron commodities , importing products such cacao, tobacco, , hides. merchandise imported on spanish heartland in turn incur no duties in customs. vibrant trade followed added flourishing building activity , establishment of pivotal royal basque society , led xavier maria de munibe, encouragement of science , arts.

emigration america did not stop, basques—reputed close solidarity bonds, high organizational skills , industrious disposition—found venturing upper california @ head of expeditions , governor positions, e.g. fermín lasuén, juan bautista de anza, diego de borica, j.j. de arrillaga, etc. @ home, need technical innovations—not encouraged longer spanish crown during last third of 18th century—the virtual exhaustion of forests supplying ironworks, , decline of guipuzcoan company of caracas after end of trade monopoly america heralded major economic , political crisis.

by end of 18th century basques deprived of customary trade america , choked spanish disproportionately high customs duties in ebro river, @ least enjoyed fluent internal market , intensive trade france. navarre s geographic distribution of trade in late 18th century estimated @ 37.2% france (unspecified), 62.3% other basque districts, , 0.5% spanish heartland. on positive note spanish customs exactions imposed on ebro favoured more european orientation , circulation of innovative ideas—labelled many in spain un-spanish —both technical , humanistic, such rousseau s social contract , hailed basque liberals, supported home rule (fueros). cross-pyrenean contacts among basque scholars , public personalities intensified, increasing awareness of common identity beyond district specific practices.