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In 1700, when affairs were at their worst, the Austrian dynasty
was succeeded by the Bourbon

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Spain was now ruled by foreigners

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But the authority of the Church had so enfeebled the national
intellect, that the people, immersed in ignorance, remained
inert

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All this was promoted by the authority and high character of

Charles III.

But it was of no avail; because politicians can do nothing, when
the spirit of the country is against them.

Still, Charles III. effected great improvements, from which, on a

superficial view, permanent benefit might have been expected. 116-128

Summary of what was accomplished for Spain, by the govern-
ment, between the years 1700 and 1788.

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Inasmuch, however, as these ameliorations were opposed to the
habits of the national character, a reaction was inevitable
In 1788, Charles III. was succeeded by Charles IV., and the new
king, being a true Spaniard, the reaction began

In the nineteenth century, political reformers again endeavoured

to improve Spain

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For the reasons already stated, their efforts were fruitless, not-
withstanding the early establishment in that country of muni-
cipal privileges, and of popular representation

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Nothing can weaken superstition but knowledge

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Such failures are the more observable, because Spain enjoys im-
mense natural advantages

And has possessed great patriots and great legislators

The Spaniards have, moreover, long been celebrated for honour,

courage, temperance, humanity, and religious sincerity. 145-146

So far, however, as national progress is concerned, these noble

qualities are useless, while ignorance is so gross and so general 146-151

This it is, which, isolating Spain from the rest of the civilized
world, keeps alive that spirit of superstition, that reverence for
antiquity, and that blind and servile loyalty, which, as long
as they last, will render improvement impossible; and which
must last until ignorance is removed

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Irish invasion of Scotland

Norwegian invasion of Scotland

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thereby to establish the supremacy of the throne

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Their power, however, was too deeply rooted to be shaken; and,
in 1488, they put the king to death.

Still, and notwithstanding these successive failures, James IV. fol-
lowed the same policy as his predecessors
So did James V. Consequently the nobles imprisoned him, and
ejected the clergy from all offices in the state.

In 1528, James V. escaped; the Crown and the Church regained
the ascendant, and the principal nobles were banished
From this moment, the nobles hated the Church more than ever.
Their hatred brought about the Reformation.

Active measures of the government against the nobles .

The nobles revenged themselves by becoming Reformers

James V., on the other hand, threw himself entirely into the arms

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