La quiebra del sistema hispano-genovés (1627-1700)

Abstract

This article examines the changes effected in the relationship between the Spanish Monarchy and Genoa from the Savoyard-French invasion in 1625 until the death of Charles 11. The crisis of the Spanish-Genoese interdependence makes it possible to explore more deeply the central role of mercantile republics in a Europe where dynasties prevailed, and casts new light on the internal transformation experienced by both allies, as well as on their decline on the international scene after the Peace of Westphalia. The failure of both neutrality programmes and naval reactivation advocated by the repubblichisti since the 1630s, together with the crisis brought about by the seizure of Genoese goods in the Italian territories of the Crown in 1654, paved the way for a new approach. This aimed at hampering the expansionist policy of Louis XIV, whose discouraging success provided evidence of a power system that was breaking down after having predominating in Europe since the beginning of the sixteenth century.