Breakup of Spain?

All,

Was there ever a good time between 1700 and 1900 that "the Spains" might have broken up into their constituent parts?

There was some regionalism in the "War of Spanish Succession". Any chance that, at that point, or any time before 1900 that the Spains might have broken up?

Perhaps if Napoleon Bonaparte had played divide and conquer (rather than conquer), he might break up Spain into local Kingdoms. I'm not sure what the motivation would be as Spain wasn't considered a threat and it at least nominally kept Britain from taking over the Spanish empire.

Any other time that there was a bout of regionalism/nationalism capable of splitting up the country into Castile, Aragon, Andalucía, Catalonia, the Basque Country?

Anything practical?


What would be the likely result to the Spanish overseas Empire? Effective immediate independence?
Thanks.
 
For the last bit, it would depend on when you're breaking up Spain. I'd say by the 18th century if the Spanish metropole is divided then the colonies will become independent, maybe just as viceroyalties with no crown to be responsible to, as time goes on you get more like OTL.

The best time to do it would be around the time of the Spanish Succession, AIUI the Bourbons centralised the country and removed a lot of autonomy from the constituent kingdoms, as the whole place was a mess of personal unions before their ascent. During the war, I believe the Habsburg party, with support from the Allies, set themselves up with a base of power in Catalonia. However, that may not be such a good place to look, as their motivation was to rule the whole kingdom, not lead an independence movement. I don't think either side in the war wanted to break Spain up, asides from maybe the British, but they'd never be able to convince the Austrians or French to accept it.

Maybe if there was no Bourbon claim on the throne the Spanish monarchy could continue its atrophication, and then just dissolve as the Spanish Habsburgs die out in the 18th century. Bit of a long shot, but if you have a weak enough King (easy enough, all things considered) willing yo concede to particularists enough that the regionalism develops into de facto states, that's a way of doing it.
 
You could split it into the old styles of Spanish Kingdoms:
- Leon
- Galacia
- Aragon
- Castille
- Navearea
- Catalan
 
In my "Created Equal" TL, the Spanish royals held by Napoleon die inc aptivity, leaving a power vacuum (just checked - parts 16 and 17 if you're curious.) Ferdinand of Sicily and Naples claims a treaty hs no impact on him and he can rule all three lands, while Carlota Joaquina of Portugal is his main rival.

It's settled because someone who died in 1812 or so lives TTL because of butterflies, but if they die (or even if they survive) several powers might feel it in Europe's best interests after the war to break Spain up (since it already has been anyway) rather than see a potential monarch who reigns both Spain and Portual, or unify all of Spain with Naples and Sicily.
 
During the War of Spanish Succession the people of the Crown of Castile mostly Supported the Bourbon Claim, while folks of the Crown of Aragon supported the Hapsburg claim. The end of the war could have ended Spain with a break up of Spain along those lines with Castile and its colonial possessions going to a Bourbon king, while Aragon and its Mediterranean possessions going to the Hapsburgs
 
Well the most likely to breakaway is the Crown of Aragon because they were fighting in support of the Austrian candidate so its more likely that if they were more compelled to do so, when Phillip is installed, Aragon breaks away from Spain. Galicia, Leon, Andalusia and High Navarra are all firmly in the grip of the Crown of Castile.
 
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