Madrid Economic Society of Friends of the Country: its Foundation and Activities (1775-1808)

The period of reform and 'enlightened despotism' in Spain of the XVIIIth century is studied in the article. This policy culminating in the rule of Charles III (1759-1788), focused on modernizing the Spanish government, infrastructure, and institutions. One of the aims was to establish «economic societies» - the most important of them was the Madrid Economic Society -dedicated to particular tasks required for a growing Spanish economy, mostly to encourage economic development and initiative and modernize Spain's education system. A number of important Spanish statesmen, social scientists and reformers participated in the activities of the Madrid Economic Society, which would not have been possible without the support of Spain's «enlightened despot» Charles III. In order to equip Spain for industrial development in the nineteenth century, subjects taught included chemistry, mineralogy, metallurgy, public architecture, agronomy, and political science. Experiments in agriculture, along with new crops and plant culture, helped increase the efficiency of Spanish agriculture.

the period of reform and 'enlightened despotism' in Spain, Charles III, the «enlightened despot», the industrial development of XIX century, Madrid Economic Society of Friends of the Country