The military reformism of Carlos III: Myth and Reality

Abstract

In this contribution we proceed to make a critical analysis of the military reforms that drove Carlos III throughout his reign. To do this, on the one hand, a vision of them by placing them in the context of the entire century arises and, secondly, trying to answer two questions. The first focuses on answering whether during his reign was modified or not the reward system in the military career to reach the highest echelons of generalship, that is, if “enlightened principles” such as merit, study or training scientific and technical were or were not vectors that governed the promotion of general officers. The second seeks to analyze whether or not Carlos III rewarded the senior army with the highest distinction granted, the titled noble, who served him in the arms race.