EspañolThe Enlightment in Valencia
With the reign of Philip V was introduced the Nova Planta Decrees by which the king had the free power to impose taxes. In 1724 Philip V resigned the crown in favor of his son Louis I. He did so in Valencia and during his reign the nobility was a victim of unifying and depersonalizing. He annulled the distinction between barons, knights, etc, categories that were unified in one, equated to hidalgo. The taste of the nobility and bourgeoisie of Valencia became more European and French and many foreign traders established in Valencia. The most numerous were from France.
In 1769 the ministers of Carlos III divided the area of the city into four quarters: Campanar, Benimaclet, Ruzafa and Patraix. Also they created the post neighborhood mayor, giving to the people major participation in municipal government. It was created the body of night-time security guards which received the name of ‘serene’ and this body was imitated in all the Spanish cities. From 1761 to 1780 Carlos III built for the military order of Montesa the building of the Temple and between 1758 and 1802 the building of the Customs Office that in 1828 was destined to tobacco factory and in 1922 to Palace of Justice.
The news of the execution of Louis XVI led to that the students of Valencia supported by the plebs went to the Portal Nou Street, inhabited by French traders with hostile attitude and after several revolts 648 Frenchmen have been expelled from the city. The war was formalized in 1794 and in spite of the initial successes of the Spanish army, it was defeated by the French revolutionaries.