The persecution of gypsies in Spain had a fateful chapter in the mid-1700s, during the reign of Ferdinand VI. Given that the various punishments and levies ordered by the authorities were not enough to tackle the problem caused by their existence, the solution that emerged in enlightened circles was to draw up a plan for a General Prison that would include the separation of men and women in order to prevent the generation of gypsies. The promoter of this idea was the Marquis de la Ensenada (1702-1781), who had previously ensured the neutrality of the Church so that the gypsies could not be held sacred and escape justice. Although the disgrace of the Great Raid had been capitalised on, he had the favourable opinion of many enlightened people. The measure was well conceived, poorly executed due to insufficient financial and human resources, and ended in such a disaster that the authorities soon became aware of it. Executed in two operations between July and August 1749, it involved the imprisonment of nine to ten thousand Gypsies for the sole crime of being Gypsies. There was total confusion because, among other reasons, it was not clear who or what a Gypsy was, since the word had been forbidden by previous legislation. The exceptions for the detention of Gypsies were so varied and the escapes from the detention centres so frequent that the plan ended in total failure, as recognised by the late law of 1763, in the time of Charles III, and a later law of 1765. The sense of ridicule was so great that in 1722, in the preamble to a new law on gypsies, all mention of the Great Raid was removed at the express request of Charles III.
Collection: Images
Project: 4. Family, daily life and social inequality in Europe., 7. Persecuted by justice and powers: rebels, political dissidents and criminals in the history of Europe., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.
Chronology: XVIII
Scope: Baccalaureate, University
Resource type: Image
Format: Grey wash, brown gouache, pen and pencil on dark grey paper, 265x379 mm
Source: Museo del Prado (Madrid)
Language: Spanish
Date: XVIII
Owner: Blanca Rodríguez Hernández (Modernalia)
Identifier: D001240
Copyright: Museo del Prado (Madrid)
Abstract: The Great Raid of 1749
Tags
1749Carlos IIIExterminioFernando VIGitanosGitanos en EspañaGitanos españolesGran RedadaIlustraciónLegislación anti gitanaMarqués de la EnsenadaPrisión General de 1749Prisión General de gitanosProyecto de exterminio de gitanosSiglo XVIII
