Aranda came from an old and rich Aragonese family. He began ecclesiastical studies in the
seminary of
Bologna but when he was 18 he changed to the
Military School of
Parma. In 1740, he was captain of the Spanish Army and fought in the
War of the Austrian Succession. As he had been severely wounded in combat in 1743 (he was left for dead on the battlefield), he temporarily left the military and traveled through Europe. He studied the
Prussian Army, later introducing its system of drill into the Spanish army, Due to Prime Minister
Ricardo Wall's sponsorship,
Ferdinand VI appointed him in 1755
ambassador to Portugal and in 1757 director general of
Artillery, a post that he soon resigned, along with his military rank, because he was forbidden to pursue corrupt contractors. The Spanish ambassador was not satisfied with this tactic, as he believed that the only way to ensure the goodwill of those who could be influential neighbors in North America was to establish a mutual commitment. This had to be done while the new state had not yet overcome its difficulties. “If something advantageous is to be achieved, it should not be through the hidden means of secret and insufficient aid, because these are neither of great merit nor likely to attract the other party.” As evidence of the political acumen of the Aragonese nobleman, in January 1777, during the second meeting between Aranda and
Benjamin Franklin—now with the assistance of an interpreter—the Spanish ambassador understood that the conflict between Great Britain and its colonies offered Spain a unique, perhaps unrepeatable opportunity to defeat and perhaps humiliate its historic adversary, since “in centuries there would not be an occasion similar to the present to reduce it.” Overcoming his initial reluctance, Aranda urged the Court of Madrid to officially recognize the delegates of the
Congress, who could become the leaders of a powerful nation in North America, and suggested that Spain declare war on England, although his proposal did not receive the king's support. ==Chief Minister==