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Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV of Spain
Charles IV of Spain
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Charles IV (Spanish: Carlos Antonio Pascual Francisco Javier Juan Nepomuceno José Januario Serafín Diego de Borbón y Sajonia; 11 November 1748 – 20 January 1819) was King of Spain and ruler of the Spanish Empire from 1788 to 1808.

Key Information

The Spain inherited by Charles IV gave few indications of instability,[1] but during his reign, Spain entered a series of disadvantageous alliances and his regime constantly sought cash to deal with the exigencies of war. He detested his son and heir Ferdinand, who led the unsuccessful El Escorial Conspiracy and later forced Charles's abdication after the Tumult of Aranjuez in March 1808, along with ousting Charles's widely hated first minister Manuel Godoy. Summoned to Bayonne by Napoleon Bonaparte, who forced Ferdinand VII to abdicate, Charles IV also abdicated, paving the way for Napoleon to place his elder brother Joseph Bonaparte on the throne of Spain. The reign of Charles IV turned out to be a major negative turning point in Spanish history.[2][3]

Early life

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Charles was the second son of Charles III and his wife, Maria Amalia of Saxony. He was born in Naples (11 November 1748), while his father was King of Naples and Sicily. His elder brother Don Felipe was passed over for both thrones, due to his learning disabilities and epilepsy. In Naples and Sicily, Charles was referred to as the Prince of Taranto.[4] He was called El Cazador (meaning "the Hunter"), due to his preference for sport and hunting, rather than dealing with affairs of state. Charles is considered by historian Stanley G. Payne as "good-hearted but weak and simple-minded".[5]

Reign

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The Family of Charles IV
8 reales Carolus IV 1808 Chopmark

In 1788, Charles III died; Charles IV succeeded to the throne and ruled for the next two decades. Even though he had a profound belief in the sanctity of the monarchy and kept up the appearance of an absolute, powerful king, Charles never took more than a passive part in his own government. The affairs of government were left to his wife, Maria Luisa, and the man he appointed first minister, Manuel de Godoy. Charles occupied himself with hunting in the period that saw the outbreak of the French Revolution, the executions of his Bourbon relative Louis XVI of France and his queen, Marie Antoinette, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Ideas of the Age of Enlightenment had come to Spain with the accession of the first Spanish Bourbon, Philip V. Charles' father, Charles III, had pursued an active policy of reform that sought to reinvigorate Spain politically and economically and make the Spanish Empire more closely an appendage of the metropole. Charles III was an active, working monarch with experienced first ministers to help reach decisions. Charles IV, by contrast, was a do-nothing king, with a domineering wife and an inexperienced but ambitious first minister, Godoy. The combination of a king not up to the task of governance, the queen widely perceived to take lovers (including Godoy) and the first minister with an agenda of his own earned the monarchy increased alienation from its subjects.[6]

Upon ascending to the throne, Charles IV intended to maintain the policies of his father and, accordingly, retained his prime minister, the Count of Floridablanca.[5] Floridablanca avoided war with Great Britain in the Nootka Sound crisis, where a minor trade and navigation dispute off the west coast of Vancouver Island in 1789 could have blown up into a major conflict. Spain could have drawn on its French ally in support against Britain but they refused. In a humiliating move, Floridablanca had no choice but to capitulate to British terms and thereby negotiated with them. In 1792, political and personal enemies ousted Floridablanca from office, replacing him with the Count of Aranda. However, in the wake of the war against Republican France, the liberal-leaning Count of Aranda was himself replaced by Manuel de Godoy, a favorite of the Queen and widely believed to be her lover, who enjoyed the lasting favor of the King.[7]

Under Charles IV, scientific expeditions continued to be sent by the crown, some of which were initially authorized by Charles III. The Royal Botanical Expedition to New Granada (1783–1816),[8] and the Royal Botanical Expedition to New Spain (1787–1803),[9] were funded by the crown. The Malaspina Expedition (1789–94) was an important scientific expedition headed by Spanish naval commander Alejandro Malaspina, with naturalists and botanical illustrators gathering information for the Spanish crown.[10][11][12][13][14][15] In 1803, he authorized the Balmis Expedition, aimed at vaccinating Spain's overseas territories against smallpox.[16] In 1799, Charles IV authorized Prussian aristocrat and scientist Alexander von Humboldt to travel freely in Spanish America, with royal officials encouraged to aid him in his investigation of key areas of Spain's empire. Humboldt's Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain was a key publication from his five-year travels.[citation needed]

Apex of Spanish Empire in 1790

Spain's economic problems were of long standing, but deteriorated further when Spain was ensnared in wars that its ally France pursued. Financial needs drove his domestic and foreign policy. Godoy's economic policies increased discontent with Charles's regime.[17] In an attempt to implement major economic changes, Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, a reformist, Jansenist conservative proposed major structural reform of land tenure to promote the revival of agriculture. His 1795 work Informe en el expediente de ley agraria argued that Spain needed thriving agriculture to allow its population to grow and prosper. In his analysis, the concentration of land ownership and traditions and institutional barriers were at the heart of agriculture's problems. He called for division and sale of public lands, which were held by villages, as well as the swaths of Spanish territory controlled by the Mesta, the organization of livestock owners who had kept grazing lands as an asset for their use. Jovellanos also argued for the abolition of entailed properties (mayorazgos), which allowed landed estates to pass undivided through generations of aristocrats, as well as sale of lands held by the Catholic Church. The aim of these policies was to create in Spain yeoman farmers, who would pursue their self-interest and make agricultural land more productive. The cost would be to undermine the power of the Church and the aristocracy.[18]

As the situation with immediate revenue became more fraught, the crown in 1804 imposed measures in its overseas empire forcing the church to call in immediately the mortgages it had extended on a long-term by the Catholic Church. Although aimed at undermining the wealth and power of the church, the wealthy landowning elites were faced with financial ruin, since they had no way to make full payment on their mortgaged properties.[19] This ill-considered royal decree has been seen as a major factor in the independence movement in New Spain (Mexico).[20] The decree was in abeyance once Charles and Ferdinand abdicated, but it undermined elite support while in force.

In foreign policy Godoy continued Abarca de Bolea's policy of neutrality toward as France, but after Spain protested the execution of Louis XVI of France in 1793, France declared war on Spain. After the declaration, Portugal and Spain signed a treaty of mutual protection against France.[21] In 1796 France forced Godoy to enter into an alliance, and declare war on the Kingdom of Great Britain. As a consequence, Spain became one of the maritime empires to have been allied with Republican France in the French Revolutionary War, and for a considerable duration.[22]

Spain remained an ally of France for a while, lost against the British in the battle of Trafalgar, and supported the Continental Blockade. After Napoleon's victory over Prussia in 1807, Godoy kept Spain with the French side.

But the switching of alliances devalued Charles's position as a trustworthy ally, increasing Godoy's unpopularity, and strengthening the fernandistas (supporters of Crown Prince Ferdinand), who favoured an alliance with the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

Economic troubles, rumors about a sexual relationship between the Queen and Godoy, and the King's ineptitude, caused the monarchy to decline in prestige among the population. Anxious to take over from his father, and jealous of the prime minister, Crown Prince Ferdinand attempted to overthrow the King in an aborted coup in 1807.[23] He was successful in 1808, forcing his father's abdication following the Tumult of Aranjuez.

  • Coins with image of Charles IV of Spain, 1798
    Coins with image of Charles IV of Spain, 1798
  • Coin of Charles IV of Spain Colombia 8 Escudos, 1794
    Coin of Charles IV of Spain Colombia 8 Escudos, 1794
  • Count de Floridablanca, painting by Goya ca. 1782-83
    Count de Floridablanca, painting by Goya ca. 1782-83
  • Count of Aranda
    Count of Aranda
  • Manuel de Godoy, as general. Painting by Goya 1801
    Manuel de Godoy, as general. Painting by Goya 1801
  • Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. Painting by Goya 1798
    Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. Painting by Goya 1798
  • Crown Prince Ferdinand, Painting by Goya 1800
    Crown Prince Ferdinand, Painting by Goya 1800

Abdications of Bayonne

[edit]
Main article: Abdications of Bayonne

Riots, and a popular revolt at the winter palace Aranjuez, in 1808 forced the king to abdicate on 19 March, in favor of his son.[23] Ferdinand took the throne as Ferdinand VII, but was mistrusted by Napoleon, who had 100,000 soldiers stationed in Spain by that time due to the ongoing War of the Third Coalition.

The ousted king, having appealed to Napoleon for help in regaining his throne, was summoned before Napoleon in Bayonne, along with his son, in April 1808. Napoleon forced both Charles and his son to abdicate, declared the Bourbon dynasty of Spain deposed, and installed his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as King Joseph I of Spain, which began the Peninsular War.[24]

Later life and death

[edit]
The ex-king in 1818

Following Napoleon's deposing of the Bourbon dynasty, the ex-King, his wife, and former prime minister Godoy were held captive in France first at the château de Compiègne[25] and three years in Marseille (where a neighborhood was named after him).[26] After the collapse of the regime installed by Napoleon, Ferdinand VII was restored to the throne. The former Charles IV drifted about Europe[27] until 1812, when he finally settled in Rome, in the Palazzo Barberini.[28][29][30][31] His wife died on 2 January 1819, followed shortly by Charles, who died on 19 January of the same year. At the time of his death Charles was visiting his brother Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies in Naples.[32] Sir Francis Ronalds included a detailed description of the funeral in his travel journal.[33][34]

Character

[edit]

Well-meaning and pious, Charles IV floundered in a series of international crises beyond his capacity to handle.[27] He was said to be 'despotic, sluggish and stupid'. He was also noted as a former wrestler who spent many a time hunting.[35] He was painted by Francisco Goya in a number of official court portraits, which numerous art critics have seen as satires on the King's stout vacuity.[36]

Marriage and children

[edit]

Charles IV married his first cousin Maria Louisa, the daughter of Philip, Duke of Parma, in 1765. The couple had fourteen children, seven of whom survived into adulthood:

Children of King Charles IV
Name Portrait Lifespan Notes
Carlos Clemente
Infante of Spain 		19 September 1771 – 7 March 1774 Born and died at El Escorial; baptized on the same day he was born, with Charles III representing "the Holy Father" at the christening. Pope Clement XIV celebrated Carlos' birth and sent the infant consecrated swaddling clothes. Died young however.[37]
Carlota Joaquina
Queen of Portugal and the Algarves 		25 April 1775 – 7 January 1830 Born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, she married her first cousin John VI of Portugal in 1785 and became Queen consort of Portugal in 1816. Had issue, including the future Pedro I of Brazil. She died at Queluz National Palace.
Maria Luisa
Infanta of Spain 		11 September 1777 – 2 July 1782 Born and died at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso died young.[38]
María Amalia
Infanta of Spain 		9 January 1779 – 22 July 1798 Born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, she married her uncle Infante Antonio Pascual of Spain in 1795. She gave birth to a stillborn son in 1798 and died shortly thereafter.
Carlos Domingo
Infante of Spain 		5 March 1780 – 11 June 1783 Born at the Royal Palace of El Pardo and died at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.[38] After his birth, his father pardoned all of the convicts from Puerto San Julián as a sign of celebration. Died in childhood.[39]
Maria Luisa
Queen of Etruria
Duchess of Lucca 		6 July 1782 – 13 March 1824 Born at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, she married her first cousin Louis, King of Etruria in 1795[40] and had issue, including Charles II, Duke of Parma. Became Duchess of Lucca in her own right in 1817 and died in Rome in 1824 of cancer.
Carlos Francisco de Paula
Infante of Spain 		5 September 1783 – 11 November 1784 Twins, born and died at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso.[41] Their birth was an important event for the people of Spain and provided security for the succession, a security which was truncated with the early deaths of Carlos and Felipe. Both died in childhood.[42]
Felipe Francisco de Paula
Infante of Spain 		5 September 1783 – 18 October 1784
Fernando (VII)
King of Spain 		14 October 1784 – 29 September 1833 Born and died at El Escorial, he succeeded his father as King in 1808, but was deposed by Joseph Bonaparte one month later. Married his first cousin Princess Maria Antonia of Naples and Sicily in 1802, no issue. Re-instated as King in 1813. Married his niece Maria Isabel of Portugal in 1816, had issue. Married Maria Josepha Amalia of Saxony in 1819, no issue. Married his niece Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies in 1829 and had issue, including the future Isabella II of Spain. Died in 1833.
Carlos María Isidro Benito
Count of Molina 		29 March 1788 – 10 March 1855 Born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. Married his niece Infanta Maria Francisca of Portugal in 1816 and had issue. Married his niece Maria Teresa, Princess of Beira in 1838, no issue. First Carlist pretender to the throne of Spain as "Carlos V". Used the title "Count of Molina" between 1845 and his death in 1855.
María Isabel
Queen of the Two Sicilies 		6 July 1789 – 13 September 1848 Born at the Royal Palace of Madrid, she married her first cousin Francis I of the Two Sicilies in 1802 and had issue, including the future Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. Queen consort between 1825 and 1830, her husband's death. Died at the Palace of Portici in 1848.
Maria Teresa
Infanta of Spain 		16 February 1791 – 2 November 1794 Born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and died at El Escorial. Died in Childhood[43] of smallpox.[44]
Felipe Maria
Infante of Spain 		28 March 1792 – 1 March 1794 Born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and died at the Royal Palace of Madrid. Died in childhood.[43]
Francisco de Paula 10 March 1794 – 13 August 1865 Born at the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, he married his niece Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily in 1819 and had issue. Died in Madrid in 1865.

Ancestors

[edit]
Ancestors of Charles IV of Spain[45]
8. Louis, Dauphin of France
4. Philip V of Spain
9. Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria
2. Charles III of Spain
10. Odoardo Farnese, Hereditary Prince of Parma
5. Elisabeth Farnese
11. Dorothea Sophie of Neuburg
1. Charles IV of Spain
12. Augustus II of Poland
6. Augustus III of Poland
13. Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
3. Maria Amalia of Saxony
14. Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
7. Maria Josepha of Austria
15. Wilhelmine Amalie of Brunswick

See also

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References

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Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Charles IV of Spain

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Charles IV (Spanish: Carlos IV; 12 November 1748 – 20 January 1819) was King of and ruler of the from his accession upon the death of his father, , on 14 December 1788 until his abdication on 6 April 1808. Born in in the Kingdom of Naples as the third son of and , he showed early aptitude for mechanics and hunting but little inclination for governance. His reign, overshadowed by the and , saw 's alignment with through treaties like San Ildefonso, culminating in naval defeat at Trafalgar in 1805 and territorial losses. Dominated by his wife and her favorite , who rose to and wielded de facto power, Charles IV's passive rule contributed to internal scandals, economic strain, and the erosion of monarchical authority, ending in the mutual abdications with his son at under French coercion. Exiled thereafter to and later , he lived out his days in relative obscurity, predeceasing the restoration of .

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Charles IV, originally named Carlos Antonio Pascual Francisco Javier Juan Nepomuceno José Januario Servando Diego, was born on 11 November 1748 at the Palazzo Reale in , near , in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. His father, , ruled the Two Sicilies at the time as Charles VII (later ascending to the Spanish throne in 1759), while his mother, (1724–1760), was the daughter of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, and . As the second surviving son of —following his elder brother (born 1747, who suffered from intellectual disabilities and never married)—Charles was positioned as the primary heir to the Bourbon crowns despite the family's extensive progeny. and Maria Amalia had thirteen children in total, though only seven, including Charles, survived to adulthood; these included siblings such as (born 1775, future of ), (1752–1788), and (1755–1827). The high among the royal offspring reflected broader patterns in 18th-century European , where multiple heirs were produced to secure dynastic continuity amid health risks like and genetic conditions. The , to which Charles belonged, represented the Spanish branch of the French Bourbon dynasty, established by Philip V (grandfather of ) following the in 1700, which transferred the Spanish crown from the Habsburgs to the Capetian-descended Bourbons via the Treaty of Utrecht. This lineage emphasized and centralized reform, influences that actively pursued in , , and later , setting the administrative context for his son's upbringing.

Upbringing and Education

Charles IV was born on 12 November 1748 at the Palace of Portici in the Kingdom of Naples as Carlos Antonio Pascual Francisco Javier Juan Nepomuceno José Januario Serafín Diego de Borbón y Sajonia, the second surviving son of then-King Charles VII of Naples (later Charles III of Spain) and Maria Amalia of Saxony. His elder brother, Felipe, was afflicted with epilepsy and developmental impairments that rendered him unfit for succession, thus designating the infant Carlos as the presumptive heir from birth. His initial upbringing occurred amid the opulent yet disciplined environment of the Neapolitan court, where the Bourbon family emphasized , courtly , and basic humanistic studies typical for royal offspring. In , following his father's accession to the Spanish throne upon the death of , Carlos—then aged 10—remained in Naples under the administrative oversight of Bernardo Tanucci, serving as nominal alongside his younger brother Fernando until rejoining the family in Madrid in 1760. This transitional period exposed him to provisional governance responsibilities, though actual authority rested with Tanucci's council, fostering early familiarity with administrative routines rather than deep scholarly immersion. Upon arrival in Spain as , Charles's education shifted to preparation for monarchical duties under his father's direct supervision at the Royal Palace of and , incorporating tutelage in history, principles, riding, , and —activities in which he excelled and later pursued avidly. At age 16 in 1764, granted him permission to attend meetings, providing observational exposure to policy deliberations and diplomacy without formal participation. Contemporary accounts portray his overall instruction as routine and pragmatic, prioritizing physical vigor and practical kingship skills over intensive intellectual or philosophical training, aligning with Bourbon emphases on absolutist rule; however, he displayed limited aptitude for abstract studies, preferring mechanical interests like carriage construction. This regimen culminated in his marriage to on 6 September 1765 at age 16, marking the transition from princely tutelage to adult court life.

Reign (1788–1808)

Ascension to the Throne and Initial Governance


Charles III died on 14 December 1788 in Madrid after two days of high fever. His eldest surviving son, Charles IV, succeeded him immediately as King of Spain, with proclamation occurring the same day in Madrid. At age 40, Charles IV ascended amid a relatively stable Spain bolstered by his father's administrative reforms, though the empire faced underlying fiscal strains from prior wars. In the initial phase of his reign, Charles IV retained key ministers from his father's administration to ensure policy continuity, notably appointing José Moñino, Count of Floridablanca, as —a role Floridablanca had effectively held under since 1777. Floridablanca, a reformist statesman, focused on internal stability and cautious diplomacy, including suppressing early signs of French revolutionary influence through and border controls starting in 1789. Charles IV himself engaged minimally in day-to-day governance, delegating authority while pursuing personal interests in hunting and religious observance. This period of initial governance maintained the enlightened absolutism of , with efforts to modernize administration and economy, though Floridablanca's conservative approach to external threats like the —prioritizing absolutist monarchy preservation—shaped early decisions until his dismissal in 1792. The retention of experienced figures like Floridablanca and later brief service under Pedro Pablo Abarca y Bolea, Count of Aranda, reflected Charles IV's reliance on paternal legacies rather than assertive personal rule.

Domestic Policies and Reforms

Upon ascending the throne on December 14, 1788, Charles IV retained José Moñino y Redondo, Count of Floridablanca, as chief minister, whose policies emphasized internal stability and suppression of influences from the beginning in 1789. Floridablanca imposed on the press, monitored intellectual circles, and curtailed liberal publications to prevent the spread of revolutionary ideas, effectively halting the progressive reforms of Charles III's reign. These measures prioritized absolute monarchical control over innovation, abandoning initiatives like expanded economic societies and administrative rationalization in favor of restoring traditional authority. In February 1792, Floridablanca was dismissed and replaced by Pedro Pablo Abarca y Bolea, Count of Aranda, who briefly pursued a more moderate approach, restoring some press freedoms and easing restrictions on intellectual discourse. However, Aranda's tenure lasted only until November 1792, after which assumed de facto control, shifting focus toward fiscal exigencies amid impending wars. Administrative structures, such as the intendancy system for provincial governance established under , were maintained without significant alteration, though coordination via the Junta de Estado continued to address peninsular and colonial overlaps. Under Godoy's influence, efforts at economic reform intensified in response to agrarian stagnation and revenue shortfalls. In 1795, , commissioned by the crown, published his Informe sobre la ley agraria, advocating the abolition of mayorazgos (heritable entails) and restrictions on church lands to enable land subdivision, private ownership, and agricultural modernization through incentives for cultivation and enclosure. These proposals drew on Enlightenment principles of utility and productivity, aiming to reverse depopulation and low yields in rural areas by broadening land access beyond noble and clerical monopolies. Appointed minister of grace and justice in 1797, Jovellanos pushed for partial implementation, including taxes on certain land acquisitions, but faced vehement opposition from entrenched interests, leading to his dismissal in 1798 and minimal enactment before conservative reaction prevailed. Fiscal policies dominated the era, with repeated loans, tax impositions, and sales of royal domains to fund military commitments, yet these yielded short-term gains at the cost of and public resentment without addressing underlying structural inefficiencies like restrictions or outdated taxation. By the early 1800s, wartime demands overshadowed domestic initiatives, resulting in stalled modernization and heightened aristocratic discontent that culminated in the 1808 Mutiny of .

Economic and Colonial Management

Charles IV inherited an economy shaped by his father's , which emphasized mercantilist policies to bolster Spanish and while extracting resources from the colonies. Early in his (1788–1792), these efforts continued with institutional changes, such as the 1790 ministerial reorganization separating the mercury mine administration from the Cuban tobacco monopoly, aiming to streamline colonial revenue flows to the Peninsular treasury. However, persistent deficits—potentially reaching 31% in 1801–1802—and rising expenditures, averaging 1.075 billion reales de vellón annually from 1796 to 1802, strained finances amid wars with Britain and . Attempts at domestic reform, including Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos's 1795 Informe sobre la ley agraria, proposed abolishing mayorazgos (entailed estates) and to free land markets and boost , but political resistance and Jovellanos's dismissal in 1798 limited implementation. Under Manuel Godoy's dominance from 1797, economic management shifted toward war financing, including the 1798 consolidación de vales reales, which forced creditors to exchange high-interest short-term bonds for lower-yield long-term ones or land, alienating elites and deepening fiscal woes. By 1808, unpaid interest on vales alone exceeded 60 million reales, reflecting cumulative debt from military defeats like Trafalgar (1805) that disrupted trade and remittances. These policies prioritized short-term over structural growth, exacerbating and discontent without resolving underlying issues like smuggling and agricultural stagnation. Colonial administration maintained the centralized intendancy system from , enforcing trade monopolies via but adapting to wartime pressures through limited liberalization. Between 1787 and 1792, additional ports in and the were opened to transatlantic commerce, easing machinery imports and expanding legal trade volumes. In 1797, decrees permitted neutral foreign vessels to supply colonies like and , reserving national ships post-peace via the March 24, 1798, royal order, while restraining local factories to protect Peninsular interests. Silver remittances from the remained crucial, tracked by the treasury, but British seizures—such as 10 merchantmen off in May 1800—curtailed flows. The 1800 Treaty of San Ildefonso retroceded to France without compensation, signaling strategic concessions that undermined colonial cohesion and fueled Creole grievances over taxation for European conflicts. These measures sustained short-term imperial revenue but heightened tensions, contributing to autonomy demands by 1808.

Foreign Policy and Military Engagements

Charles IV's foreign policy initially opposed the , leading to the against France from March 7, 1793, to 1795, triggered by the and a demonstration on the Franco-Spanish border. Spanish forces suffered defeats, culminating in the Treaty of Basel on July 22, 1795, which ended hostilities and ceded territories in the and to France. This conflict reflected Spain's alignment with European monarchies against revolutionary upheaval, though financial strains from ongoing wars with Britain limited resources. Following the peace, Spain reversed course under pressure from , signing the second Treaty of San Ildefonso on August 18, 1796, which formalized an alliance committing Spain to support against Britain in exchange for territorial adjustments. This pact drew Spain into the Anglo-French naval wars, with Spanish fleets joining French operations, resulting in significant losses including the capture of merchant shipping and colonial vulnerabilities. The alliance strained relations with , prompting the in 1801, a brief Franco-Spanish of to enforce the blockade of British trade; Spanish forces under advanced to , securing the Treaty of on June 6, 1801, which ceded to Spain and established a demarcation line. Naval engagements escalated with Britain's , culminating in the on October 21, 1805, where a combined Franco-Spanish fleet of 33 ships, including 15 Spanish vessels under Admiral , was decisively defeated by 27 British ships led by Horatio Nelson off . Spain lost nine ships captured and one destroyed, with over 1,000 sailors killed and Admiral Gravina mortally wounded, effectively crippling the and exposing colonial trade routes to British predation. Despite this catastrophe, the alliance persisted, reinforced by the secret on October 1, 1800, in which Spain retroceded to France for the Duchy of , aiming to bolster Bourbon interests but ultimately facilitating French expansion. By 1807, French demands under for to aid in enforcing the Continental System against Britain led to French troop transit through to invade , sowing distrust and setting the stage for the . 's military commitments, totaling over 100,000 troops deployed across European fronts and naval losses exceeding 20 capital ships since 1796, exacerbated fiscal collapse and domestic unrest without commensurate gains. These engagements underscored a policy reactive to French dominance, prioritizing Bourbon familial ties over strategic independence, which eroded 's great power status.

Influence of Manuel Godoy

Manuel Godoy, a guardsman who rose rapidly in the Spanish court after Charles IV's accession in 1788, became the king's principal advisor and de facto ruler by 1792, when he was appointed prime minister at age 25. His influence stemmed from close personal ties to both Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa, enabling him to dominate decision-making despite lacking formal education or administrative experience. Godoy's control extended to foreign policy, where he prioritized alliances with France to counter British naval power, signing the second Treaty of San Ildefonso on August 19, 1796, which bound Spain to defensive and offensive support for the French Republic. Under Godoy's sway, Charles IV pursued pro-French policies that entangled Spain in costly conflicts, including the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso on October 1, 1800, which secretly ceded to France in exchange for vague territorial promises in and . This alignment culminated in the in 1801, a brief invasion of —Britain's ally—led personally by Godoy, resulting in the Treaty of Badajoz on June 6, 1801, whereby Spain gained and other border enclaves but incurred heavy financial burdens and naval commitments that weakened Spain's fleet. Godoy's deference to French demands, including subsidies and military aid, contributed to Spain's decisive defeat at the on October 21, 1805, where combined Franco-Spanish forces lost 22 ships, eroding Spain's maritime empire. Domestically, Godoy influenced moderate reforms, such as promoting against and curtailing the Inquisition's power, yet his extravagance, , and favoritism alienated the and , fostering widespread resentment. Charles IV's reliance on Godoy blinded him to these criticisms, as evidenced by the king's reinstatement of Godoy as in after a brief dismissal, prioritizing personal loyalty over competent governance. This unchecked influence exacerbated Spain's economic strain from war debts and colonial losses, setting the stage for the 1808 , where popular fury targeted Godoy as the symbol of royal misrule.

Abdication Crisis

Prelude to the Bayonne Meetings

The prelude to the meetings was marked by the progressive French military occupation of , facilitated by the secret Treaty of signed on , , which permitted French forces transit through Spanish territory to invade but enabled broader incursions. Beginning in November 1807, General Junot's 25,000 troops crossed into Spain, followed by General Dupont's 30,000 men on November 22, who did not proceed directly to Portugal, and further contingents under Marshals Moncey and Duhesme entering in January and February 1808, totaling over 100,000 soldiers. These movements culminated in the seizure of key fortresses, including on February 16, on February 29, and Figueras on March 18, heightening Spanish anxieties amid rumors of Manuel Godoy's plans to evacuate the royal family to the American colonies. Internal court rivalries exacerbated the crisis, with Crown Prince and his supporters, known as Fernandinos, opposing Godoy's perceived pro-French policies and personal influence over Charles IV. The erupted on March 17, 1808, as a mob, mobilized by Ferdinand's partisans, attacked Godoy's residence in , forcing him into hiding after assaulting his properties; Godoy was later captured but spared execution through Ferdinand's intervention. On March 19, amid the unrest, Charles IV abdicated the throne in favor of , who was proclaimed king and entered on March 24, where he encountered , who had arrived with 20,000 French troops on March 23. Ferdinand VII, lacking firm control and seeking legitimacy, appealed to for recognition and support against French encroachments. On April 10, he departed for , arriving April 12, before proceeding to , , where he met on April 20. , regretting his and claiming coercion, petitioned for restoration, arriving in on May 1, 1808, accompanied by his wife Maria Luisa; , who had reached on April 14, hosted them, setting the stage for coerced negotiations. This convergence of the rival royals under French dominance, amid rising Spanish resistance like the in on May 2, directly precipitated the abdications.

The Abdications of Bayonne

Ferdinand VII arrived in Bayonne on 20 April 1808, ostensibly to secure Napoleon's recognition of his recent ascension but effectively entering French custody as French troops occupied key Spanish positions. Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa followed under Napoleon's invitation, reaching Bayonne on 1 May 1808, where the family was detained at the Château de Marracq amid escalating French control over Spain. Napoleon exploited the existing dynastic tensions, including Ferdinand's prior intrigues against his parents and the ousted Godoy, to coerce the Bourbon rulers into relinquishing the throne, aiming to install a French-aligned regime and neutralize Spanish resistance to his continental blockade. On 6 May 1808, under direct pressure from —including threats to the family's safety and promises of pensions and estates— formally renounced his rights to the Spanish crown in favor of his father, Charles IV, restoring the latter's nominal sovereignty. Four days later, on 10 May 1808, Charles IV abdicated the throne to himself, citing his inability to govern amid turmoil and accepting Napoleon's assurances of compensation, such as the title of Count of and residence in . These acts, conducted without broader Spanish consent and amid , effectively ended Bourbon rule in temporarily, paving the way for to designate his brother as king on 10 June 1808 after extracting similar renunciations from other Spanish royals. The abdications were not voluntary but enforced through isolation, intimidation, and the presence of French forces, as evidenced by Ferdinand's initial refusal to yield until his parents' arrival and subsequent family captivity. provided the ex-monarchs with annual pensions—300,000 francs for Charles IV and 400,000 for Ferdinand—along with properties like the Château de Chambord, though these were contingent on non-interference. Charles IV briefly attempted to retract his abdication in July 1808, protesting 's maneuvers, but was ignored, underscoring the coercive nature of the proceedings that ignited widespread Spanish revolts and the .

Later Life and Exile

Residence in France

Following the abdications at on May 6, 1808, Charles IV, his wife , and their favored minister were transported to various residences in under French imperial oversight. Initially detained at and then the , they were relocated southward to by late 1808, where Charles IV established a primary residence for approximately three years. In , the former king and his entourage occupied comfortable quarters, supported by an annual pension of 8 million francs granted by Napoleon Bonaparte, reflecting the emperor's strategy to maintain loyalty among deposed monarchs. Though nominally free, their movements were restricted as state prisoners, with French authorities monitoring activities to prevent intrigue against the Bonaparte regime in . A local neighborhood in Marseille became known as the Quartier Carlos IV in recognition of his presence, underscoring the visibility of his exile despite the circumstances. Charles IV's daily life centered on domestic pursuits, including hunting and religious devotion, alongside continued deference to Godoy's influence and his wife's companionship; occasional visits from family members, such as their daughter Carlota Joaquina, occurred under supervision. He expressed no public opposition to during this period, accepting the pension and imperial protection even as Spanish resistance grew. By 1811–1812, amid shifting European fortunes, the group departed for , ending their French residence.

Final Years and Death

Following the abdications at on 6 May 1808, Charles IV, Queen Maria Luisa, and were escorted to France under 's control, initially residing at the before relocating to in 1809, where they lived under surveillance for approximately three years. In Marseille, the former king received a from Napoleon and maintained a household including loyal retainers, though restricted in movement and correspondence. In 1812, amid shifting wartime fortunes, authorized their transfer to , where provided hospitality at the Palazzo Barberini as guests of the . Charles IV spent his remaining years in relative seclusion, pursuing personal interests such as mechanical tinkering and religious devotion, while Godoy resided nearby under papal protection. Despite VII's restoration to the Spanish throne in 1814, Charles IV made no successful bid to return, remaining in amid familial estrangement and political irrelevance. Maria Luisa succumbed to on 2 1819 at the Palazzo Barberini. Charles IV died there eighteen days later, on 20 1819, at age 70, from natural causes associated with advanced age. His body was repatriated and interred in the Pantheon of Kings at .

Personal Life

Marriage and Family Dynamics

Charles IV, then , married his first cousin on 23 September 1765 at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. , born on 9 December 1751 as the daughter of , and granddaughter of of , entered the marriage at age 13, while Charles was 16; the union aimed to reinforce Bourbon alliances across European courts. The royal couple's relationship was characterized by Charles's unwavering devotion to Maria Luisa, despite her assertive temperament and later political meddling. Maria Luisa dominated household and court decisions, often overshadowing her husband's more passive disposition, as depicted in Francisco de Goya's 1800 family portrait where she positions herself centrally amid the group. This dynamic extended to family life, with Maria Luisa favoring certain favorites that sowed discord, particularly with their eldest surviving son, , who resented her influence and allies. Over 24 pregnancies, Maria Luisa bore 14 children, though claimed seven early, leaving seven to reach adulthood; notable offspring included Carlota Joaquina (born 1775, later Queen of ), María Luisa (born 1782, Queen of ), and (born 1784). Charles, a pious Catholic, emphasized religious upbringing for the family, yet the queen's extramarital rumors and favoritism toward figures like strained internal harmony without fracturing the king's loyalty to her.

Children and Succession Issues


Charles IV and his wife, Maria Luisa of Parma, had fourteen children between 1771 and 1795, of whom eight survived to adulthood. The high infant mortality reflected common patterns in royal families of the era, with early deaths including Infante Carlos Clemente in 1774 at age three and several others in infancy. The surviving children included daughters who formed key dynastic alliances: Infanta Carlota Joaquina (1775–1830), who married John VI of Portugal in 1790; Infanta María Luisa (1782–1824), who wed Louis, Duke of Parma and Piacenza (later King of Etruria), in 1795; and Infanta María Isabel (1789–1848), who became Queen of the Two Sicilies through marriage to Francis I in 1802. Infanta María Amalia (1779–1798) died unmarried at age 19 from tuberculosis. The sons were Ferdinand (1784–1833), who succeeded as Ferdinand VII; Infante Antonio Pascual (1792–1875); Infante Francisco de Paula (1794–1865); and Infante Carlos María Isidro (1788–1855), later claimant to the throne as Carlos V.
NameBirth–DeathNotes
Carlota Joaquina1775–1830Queen consort of (1790 marriage)
María Amalia1779–1798Died unmarried
María Luisa1782–1824Queen of (1795 marriage)
1784–1833Succeeded as
María Isabel1789–1848Queen of the Two Sicilies (1802 marriage)
Antonio Pascual1792–1875, served as briefly
Francisco de Paula1794–1865, married sister-in-law
Carlos María Isidro1788–1855, Carlist pretender as Carlos V
Succession centered on the eldest surviving son, , born October 14, 1784, as under male-preference per the variant adopted after the War of Spanish Succession. However, familial tensions escalated due to 's opposition to Prime Minister , whom he viewed as a corrupting influence on his parents. In October 1807, orchestrated the Conspiracy, involving accomplices like canon Escoiquiz to assassinate Godoy and potentially depose IV, aiming to install as king. The plot was uncovered on October 28, 1807, leading IV to initially pardon but later, under pressure, to confine him and strip his titles temporarily, deepening the rift. This dynastic discord undermined confidence in the succession line, foreshadowing the 1808 crisis where mob violence at compelled IV's to on March 19, 1808, an act IV soon contested as coerced. No other sons mounted challenges during IV's reign, though younger brothers like Carlos later contested 's line posthumously, sparking the after 1833.

Character and Assessments

Personal Traits and Piety

Charles IV possessed an amiable yet passive temperament, marked by a lack of and political initiative, which contemporaries attributed to his self-effacing and mediocre intellectual capacity for statecraft. He displayed little personal ambition in governance, often delegating decisions to favored ministers while pursuing private interests. This indolence extended to his daily routine, where he favored mechanical hobbies such as tinkering with carriages and clocks over administrative duties. A prominent trait was his intense passion for , which dominated much of his leisure time and even influenced his absences from court during critical events like the French Revolution's early phases. Paintings depicting him in hunting attire, such as those by , underscore this preoccupation, portraying him as more akin to a country gentleman than a commanding . His devotion to outdoor sports reflected simple tastes and a detachment from urban political intrigue, contributing to perceptions of him as unambitious and easily influenced. In terms of piety, Charles IV upheld a reputation for devout Catholicism, shaped by his upbringing in a Bourbon court emphasizing religious orthodoxy. He maintained traditional practices, including support for the Church's institutional power and resistance to radical secular reforms, aligning with Spain's identity amid Enlightenment pressures. This religious commitment coexisted with his personal weaknesses, as his well-meaning did not translate into resolute leadership against internal or external threats.

Evaluations of Leadership Style

Historians assess Charles IV's leadership style as passive and delegative, marked by a pronounced lack of personal engagement in state affairs. Upon succeeding his father on December 14, 1788, he inherited a of capable ministers but showed minimal interest in directing policy, preferring avocations such as and technical pursuits over administrative duties. This detachment led to an overreliance on royal favorites, most notably Manuel de Godoy, whom he appointed prime minister on November 14, 1792, entrusting him with broad authority over governance. Such delegation facilitated initial continuity in Bourbon reforms but fostered inconsistency and favoritism, particularly in , where Godoy's influence resulted in vacillating alliances—from the war against revolutionary in 1793 to the Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1796 binding Spain to . Charles IV's indecisiveness exacerbated these issues, as evidenced by Spain's repeated naval defeats, including the loss of its fleet at the on October 21, 1805, under policies he endorsed without strong intervention. While some economic measures under his reign, such as adjustments to colonial trade, demonstrated pragmatic adaptation amid wartime strains, the overall verdict from contemporaries and later analysts emphasizes his failure to assert independent authority, contributing to the regime's instability. This style of absentee , compounded by to the queen's preferences in appointments, undermined institutional and paved the way for the crises culminating in his on May 6, 1808. Though not devoid of paternalistic intent toward his subjects, Charles IV's governance lacked the decisiveness required to navigate the revolutionary upheavals of the era, rendering vulnerable to external domination.

Controversies and Criticisms

Scandals Involving Godoy and the Queen

Manuel de Godoy, a low-born guardsman who rose to become Charles IV's prime minister in 1792, developed a close personal and political alliance with both the king and Queen Maria Luisa of Parma, fueling widespread rumors of an adulterous affair between Godoy and the queen. Contemporary accounts and satires portrayed Godoy as the queen's lover, with his rapid promotions—including the title Príncipe de la Paz after the 1795 Treaty of Basel—attributed to her influence rather than merit. While no definitive primary evidence confirms a physical relationship, the persistence of these allegations among courtiers, diplomats, and the public, including physical descriptions matching Godoy to the queen's preferences, led many, such as Crown Prince Ferdinand, to view Godoy as an illegitimate interloper wielding undue power through the queen's favor. The scandals intensified court intrigue and public discontent, manifesting in plots against Godoy. In October 1807, the Conspiracy, led by Prince Ferdinand and accomplices including Canon Escoiquiz, aimed to assassinate or abduct Godoy, place the queen under restraint, and effectively sideline Charles IV to curb Godoy's dominance. The plot was uncovered through intercepted letters, resulting in arrests and a public trial where Charles IV initially pardoned his son but publicized the affair via official gazettes to defend Godoy's position, highlighting the personal stakes in the perceived royal favoritism. Ferdinand confessed under interrogation to intending Godoy's removal due to beliefs in the queen's illicit sway, though he denied regicidal aims. Godoy's enrichment—amassing wealth estimated at over 800 million reales through offices, lands, and monopolies granted by Charles IV— was scandalously linked to the queen's advocacy, exacerbating accusations of and within the royal household. , such as from British envoys, decried the trio's as marred by personal indulgences, with Godoy's 1801 to María Teresa de Vallabriga, rumored to be the queen's niece, further stoking perceptions of dynastic impropriety. Charles IV's unwavering support for Godoy, even amid these scandals, underscored a dynamic where royal weakness enabled the queen's alleged paramour to dominate policy, contributing to 's political instability without direct refutation of the underlying personal allegations.

Accusations of Corruption and Weakness

Charles IV was frequently accused of personal weakness, characterized by indolence, excessive devotion to , and undue deference to his wife, Queen María Luisa, and her favored minister, . Contemporary and historical assessments portrayed him as boorish, foolish, and easily manipulated, leading to a of that exacerbated Spain's administrative inefficiencies during a period of European upheaval. This perceived frailty contributed to Spain's military defeats and diplomatic subservience to France, as Charles IV failed to assert independent authority or reform the bureaucracy. Accusations of corruption centered on the regime under Godoy's dominance, which Charles IV endorsed despite evident abuses. Godoy, elevated rapidly from humble origins to and titles like Prince of the Peace, presided over a marked by , , and the sale of offices and monopolies for personal gain. His administration's extravagance and favoritism drained the treasury, with Godoy accumulating vast estates, palaces, and funds through royal grants, fueling public resentment amid Spain's fiscal strains from wars and colonial losses. Charles IV's complicity in shielding Godoy from accountability, including overlooking scandals involving the queen's alleged affair, reinforced charges that the monarch prioritized personal loyalties over national integrity. These grievances culminated in the Mutiny of on March 17-19, 1808, where mobs assaulted Godoy's residence, ransacking it in protest against perceived corruption, treasonous alliances with , and the regime's betrayals. The uprising forced Charles IV to dismiss Godoy and abdicate in favor of his son , highlighting the depth of discontent with a court seen as rotten under weak royal oversight. While some reforms occurred earlier in Charles IV's reign, the unchecked venality under his later rule undermined them, contributing to the dynasty's collapse and Spain's descent into the .

Legacy and Historiography

Immediate Aftermath and Spanish Decline

The , occurring on May 5–7, 1808, marked the effective end of Charles IV's influence, as I compelled both him and to renounce the Spanish throne in favor of . Charles IV, initially detained with his family near and later at the Château de Marracq, petitioned to restore his rule but received no support, as the emperor prioritized installing his brother to consolidate French dominance in Iberia. By late 1808, the ex-king relocated to and Pau in France under nominal protection, though strained relations with ensued after Ferdinand's failed intrigues. In May 1812, Charles IV settled permanently in at del Quirinale, granted by , where he lived in relative seclusion supported by a French pension until Napoleon's defeat diminished it. He renounced further claims to the throne in 1813 upon VII's restoration prospects, focusing on personal pursuits like and hunting models, and died on December 20, 1819, from a liver ailment exacerbated by . Queen Maria Luisa, who had accompanied him in , predeceased him in 1819, their final years marked by isolation from Spanish affairs. The abdications precipitated the (1808–1814), a protracted conflict of Spanish irregular forces, juntas, and British-Allied interventions against French occupation, resulting in profound demographic and economic ruin for . Estimates indicate 200,000–300,000 Spanish military and civilian deaths, alongside widespread destruction of infrastructure, agriculture, and trade networks, with GDP per capita declining sharply due to requisitioning, blockades, and guerrilla disruptions. This "disaster" eroded central authority, fostering autonomous provincial juntas and liberal constitutional experiments like the 1812 , while diverting resources from colonial defense. The war's chaos accelerated Spain's imperial contraction, as communication breakdowns and preoccupation with enabled Creole-led independence revolts in the starting in , culminating in the loss of most continental colonies by 1825. Pre-existing strains from Charles IV's era—such as naval losses at Trafalgar in 1805 and subsidies exceeding 700 million reales to France from 1800–1807—compounded the immediate postwar insolvency, with national debt surging and silver remittances from the Indies halved by . Ferdinand VII's absolutist restoration in 1814 failed to reverse this trajectory, entrenching Spain's status as a secondary power amid internal strife and European realignments.

Achievements Amid Failures

Despite the overarching narrative of decline during Charles IV's reign (1788–1808), several policy continuations and initiatives marked notable achievements, particularly in administrative centralization, economic liberalization, and scientific exploration, which built upon the Bourbon reforms of his predecessor. Early in his rule, the crown completed key reorganizations, such as the creation of the permanent Junta de Estado in 1787 to coordinate ministries and the abolition of the separate Ministry of the Indies in 1790, integrating colonial governance into peninsular structures for greater uniformity and efficiency across the empire. These measures aimed to streamline administration and reduce bureaucratic fragmentation, fostering a more cohesive imperial framework amid growing European pressures. Economically, the extension of comercio libre (free trade) policies to in 1789 removed tonnage duties on certain goods, expanded authorized ports, and eased imports of machinery, spurring transatlantic trade volumes, mining production, and penetration of peninsular manufactures into colonial markets. This liberalization contributed to temporary revenue increases and commercial vitality, even as inflationary pressures and war costs later eroded gains. saw unification of war and navy oversight in 1790, intended to enhance coordination and readiness, though subsequent conflicts exposed persistent weaknesses. The reign also sustained Enlightenment-era scientific endeavors, with crown-sponsored expeditions continuing to map and catalog imperial resources; notable among these was Alessandro Malaspina's global voyage from 1789 to 1794, which amassed data on geography, ethnography, and , bolstering Spain's knowledge of its territories. Diplomatic efforts under yielded the Treaty of Basel in 1795, securing peace with revolutionary and averting immediate invasion, providing a brief stabilization period. These accomplishments, however, were undermined by fiscal mismanagement, unpopular alliances, and military defeats, such as at Trafalgar in 1805, which precipitated the dynasty's collapse. Modern credits these early reforms with prolonging imperial cohesion temporarily, though they could not offset the king's personal detachment and favoritism toward Godoy.

Modern Scholarly Perspectives

Modern historians have increasingly challenged the longstanding portrayal of Charles IV's reign as a period of unmitigated incompetence and decline, attributing much of the traditional narrative to 19th-century liberal that emphasized monarchical weakness to legitimize constitutional reforms and movements. Instead, scholars like Gabriel Paquette argue that Bourbon governance from 1759 to 1808, encompassing Charles IV's rule, exhibited pragmatic adaptability, drawing on diverse intellectual traditions—including , , and colonial precedents—to sustain imperial cohesion amid fiscal strains and external threats. This revisionist perspective highlights administrative innovations, such as enhanced revenue extraction through intendants and experiments in specific ports, which temporarily bolstered Spain's economy; for instance, colonial silver remittances peaked in the early 1800s before Napoleonic disruptions. Paquette's analysis posits that Charles IV's ministers, including after 1792, pursued realist policies aimed at neutrality and alliance flexibility, avoiding premature entanglement in the until 1805, which delayed but did not avert systemic collapse. Critiques of the king's personal piety and disinterest in statecraft persist, yet recent works contextualize these traits against the era's causal pressures: the loss of Bourbon Family Compact cohesion post-1789 and Britain's naval supremacy, which rendered Spanish absolutism vulnerable regardless of leadership vigor. Economic data supports this nuance; agricultural output and population growth continued upward trends from Charles III's era, with GDP estimates indicating stability until the 1808 invasion, countering declinist myths of inherent rot. Nevertheless, consensus holds that Charles IV's deference to favorites like Godoy exacerbated factionalism, contributing to the abdications, though scholars caution against overpersonalizing the empire's implosion—attributing it more to geopolitical overreach and the unintended consequences of Enlightenment-inspired centralization clashing with creole autonomies. Emerging studies also reassess cultural patronage, viewing the court's support for figures like Goya as emblematic of a transitional Bourbon aesthetic that bridged absolutism and romantic individualism, rather than mere frivolity. This balanced underscores that while personal failings amplified vulnerabilities, structural reforms under Charles IV prolonged Spanish resilience longer than contemporaneous empires like the Ottoman or Mughal.

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