Hunger and Famines in Bourbon Proyectista Writings

The succession of the Bourbon dynasty to the Spanish throne in 1700-1714 inaugurated an era of unprecedented reform efforts that primarily pursued more control of and profitability from this vast monarchy. As has been widely studied, nothing was off limits for Bourbon officers; new viceroyalties were designed, as well as new taxes, armies, schools, dress codes, etc. Creating new markets and increasing the productivity of laborers was also seen as crucial. In this scheme, indigenous people began to be envisioned as potential consumers of new products. While these projects were discussed at length and measures implemented, war and rebellions expanded,whichbrought disease and, inevitably, hunger. Despite the official and established commitment of royal institutions to care for Indians and the poor, and the ambitious scope of proyectista writings, hunger and the potential outbreak of famines seem to be largely absent from their writings. This paper will analyze the ways in which proyectistas discussed or omitted these topics and reflect on the implications of this attitude for the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century developments.