Decree of Nueva Planta

The Decrees of Nueva Planta were a series of edicts issued by Philip V of Spain between 1707 and 1716. These decrees abolished the traditional laws and institutions of the Crown of Aragon, including Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, and Majorca, integrating them into a unified Spanish state under Castilian law and administration.1

This centralization was a direct consequence of the War of the Spanish Succession, during which these regions revolted against the Bourbon dynasty. Following Philip V's victory, the decrees aimed to consolidate royal power and eliminate regional privileges, or fueros, that were seen as obstacles to a strong, centralized monarchy. The abolition of Catalan and Aragonese fueros was a significant step in creating a more uniform Spanish state, though the Basque provinces and Navarre retained their distinct institutions.1