Wall Ministry Explained

The Wall Ministry was a Spanish government headed by Ricardo Wall which served between 15 May 1754 to 9 October 1763 during the reigns of Ferdinand VI and Charles III.

Wall came to power by thwarting the ambitions of his rival the Marquis of Ensenada. While Ensenada was pro-French and wanted to build an alliance with France to destroy British naval power, the Irish-descended Wall was supposed to be an Anglophile and his government steered Spain towards neutrality and friendly relations with Britain.

When the Seven Years' War broke out, Spain did not join with its traditional ally France but maintained a strict neutrality. However, when Charles III took the throne in 1759 he wanted to pursue a more pro-French policy, while retaining the popular and experienced Wall as Chief Minister. By the end of 1761 Spain was at war with Britain which had, as Wall had predicted, disastrous consequences for the Spanish who suffered a number of embarrassing military defeats to British forces (La Havana and Manila). He stepped down in 1763 following the Treaty of Paris, handing over power to Jerónimo Grimaldi.

Cabinet

15 May 1754 – 9 October 1763!Portfolio!Image!Holder!Term
First Secretary of State (PM)Ricardo Wall15 May 1754 – 9 October 1763
Secretary of State for the Indies22 July – 20 August 1754
Secretary of State for War21 June 1759 – 9 October 1763
Sebastián de Eslava22 July 1754 – 21 June 1759
Marquess of Ensenada15 May – 22 July 1754
Secretary of State for the Navy and the Indies
Secretary of State for the Treasury
Count of Valdeparaíso22 July 1754 – 8 December 1759
Marquess of Esquilache8 December 1759 – 9 October 1763
Secretary of State for Grace and JusticeAlonso Muñiz y Caso Osorio15 May 1754 – 9 October 1763
Secretary of State for the NavyJulián de Arriaga y Ribera22 July 1754 – 9 October 1763
Secretary of State for the Indies20 August 1754 – 9 October 1763

Bibliography