Bunt długich płaszczy i kapeluszy z szerokim rondem - znamienny symptom upadku Ancien régime'u w Hiszpanii w połowie XVIII wieku

Abstract

This study concerns the events that took place in Madrid in March 1766 which made history and are known as the Esquilache Riots or as «the revolt of the long capes and broad- brimmed hats». The article is based not only on the well-known sources but also on some newly found facts that were not previously published. These facts come from three confessions of the bystanders of the rebels and are in the form of letters (the reproduction of the original can be found at the end of this thesis) which are kept in the Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona. The aim of the article is to prove, that the Esquilache Riots did not conform to pattern of the traditional city rebellions during the era of the ancien régime. It is necessery to consider this rebellion in the context of similar ones that took place in France during the XVI and XVII centuries as well as the French Revolution. It has similarities to both, which can be seen on the two opposing sides: both the royality and the society. The rebellion demonstrated that the crisis was caused by the rule system under the reign of Charles III (1759-1788). This crisis triggered the political transformation of Spain which led the liberal society of the second half of XIX century. The rebellion arose due to both the decline of Spain and the general desire for change. The evidence of this change was visible in the way of thinking and acting of both the subjects and the king and his management. « Motln de Esquilache » conveyed the inefficiency of the old structures of the country faced with the growing discontent and aspiration of people wanting to speak about their situation. This conflict was not as radical as the one in France in 1789, but it was for the conditions in Spain at that time. The author of the article observes similar precursories leading up to the riot in Madrid as seen before the French Revolution. The author also corrects some of the popular but not always true opinions about the essence and course of this riot.