ABSTRACT
Angel Smith examines attitudes towards Spain by sectors in both Britain and France and assesses the utility of concepts such as orientalism and even imperialism when applied to Spain. The country's comparatively peripheral status enabled the ascribing of negative tropes by the more ‘advanced’ nations in what can be termed a European cultural and civilisational hierarchy. Enlightenment thought enabled the characterisation of Spain through an orientalising lens whilst in the British case a Protestant tradition ensured harsh criticism of a priest-dominated Spain. However, the emergence of the Romantics provided a different reading. Heroic, impassioned and authentic Spain now emerged and the country attracted the traveller. Different readings of the supposed character and issues confronting Spain impinged on attempts by both Britain and France to address their deficiencies, whether economic or political. This was imperialism, if mostly that of a cultural kind, with both powers aiming to turn Spain in their own client state.
