How did the War of the Spanish Succession affect the use and status of Catalan in Mallorca?

The War of the Spanish Succession, which took place from 1701 to 1714, had a profound impact on the political and cultural landscape of the territories ruled by the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties, including Mallorca. Prior to the war, Catalan was the dominant language in Mallorca, serving as the primary medium for administration, education, and daily life. The island was firmly integrated into the Crown of Aragon, where Catalan enjoyed official status. However, following the victory of Philip V of Bourbon and the subsequent Nueva Planta decrees, this situation changed dramatically.

The Nueva Planta decrees, issued between 1707 and 1716, effectively abolished many regional institutions and privileges in the Kingdom of Aragon, including Mallorca. These decrees imposed centralized Bourbon rule based in Madrid, where Castilian Spanish was established as the sole official language for administration, law, and education. As a result, the public use of Catalan was increasingly marginalized. Although the language continued to be spoken by the local population in everyday contexts, its official status declined sharply. This shift meant that Catalan was excluded from government documents, legal proceedings, and formal education, affecting its prestige and institutional support.

Over time, the diminished role of Catalan in Mallorca during the 18th century contributed to a gradual erosion of its social standing in public life. The language became more associated with rural and informal settings, while Castilian grew in importance as the language of power, administration, and upward social mobility. Despite this, Catalan remained an important element of local identity and culture on the island, continuing to thrive in oral traditions and family life. It was not until much later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, that efforts to revive and promote Catalan gained momentum, restoring some of its status lost after the war and the Bourbon reforms.

In summary, the War of the Spanish Succession marked a turning point for the use and status of Catalan in Mallorca. The imposition of Bourbon centralism and the rise of Castilian as the official language curtailed Catalan’s public role and official recognition, confining it largely to informal and private spheres. Nevertheless, Catalan endured as a vital cultural language among the island's inhabitants, laying the groundwork for its eventual linguistic revival in subsequent centuries.