biography
| name: |
Charles III (of Spain)
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1716–88)
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| biography:
| King of Naples and Sicily (1734–59) before becoming King of Spain (1759–88), born in Madrid, Spain. Generally regarded as an archetypal enlightened despot, he was driven by the belief that the Spanish monarchy and the colonial empire were in need of political, economic, and cultural reform. He encouraged commercial reforms in the colonies, and encouraged an ambitious building programme at home, undertook agricultural improvements, and brought the Roman Catholic Church under state control. In the Seven Years' War (1756–63) he sided with France and against Great Britain, receiving Louisiana from his ally while conceding Florida to Britain in return for Havana and Manila (1763). Later, however, by joining the anti-British coalition in support of the Americans, he regained Florida by the Treaty of Paris (1783). |
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