Charles III (January 20, 1716 – December 14, 1788) was king of Spain from 1759 to 1788. Charles III was an important ally to the French monarchy, which lead to the participation in the Seven Years War and the American Independence War, and finally to save his cousin Louis Bourbon from death penalty by the French revolutionaries, recognizing the French republic for the life of Louis. One of the "enlightened monarchs", Charles III promoted better education and self-knowledge in the Spanish colonies, as well as in Spain proper.