The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

The Power of Spain

Preview
• Starting Points Map: Monarchs of Europe
• Main Idea / Reading Focus
• The King Becomes Emperor
• Artistic Achievements
• Spain under Philip II
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Click the icon to play
Listen to History
audio.

Click the icon below

to connect to the
Interactive Maps.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

The Power of Spain

Main Idea
Spain experienced a golden age during the 1500s, but economic
problems and military struggles decreased Spanish power by the
1600s.

Reading Focus
• What challenges did King Charles I face when he became
Emperor Charles V?
• What were some artistic achievements of Spain’s golden age?
• How did Spain rise and then decline under Philip II?
The Monarchs of Europe
The King Becomes Emperor
Kingly Trait
• 1516, teenaged Charles
became King Charles I of Spain
• Inexperienced, but had one
kingly trait—as member of
ancient, powerful Hapsburg
family, prepared to rule as
absolute monarch
• Absolute monarch, ruler whose
power not limited by having to
consult with nobles, common
people or their representatives
Section 1
Imposing Their Will
• Absolute monarchs believed
they ruled by divine right
• Monarchs received power from
God, must not be challenged
• 1500 through 1700s, absolute
monarchs tried to impose their
will across much of Europe,
lands beyond
• In Spain, Charles struggled to
keep empire under control
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Charles V and the Empire

When Charles became king of Spain, he inherited the Low Countries
of Belgium and the Netherlands, along with colonies in the Americas.

Emperor Charles V Enemies Everywhere

• 1519, throne of Holy Roman
Empire became vacant
• Position elective; Charles
borrowed money to buy votes
• Became Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V
– Holdings expanded to parts
of Italy, Austria, various
German states
– So vast ‘the sun never set”
over it
• Ruling vast territories not easy
task for Charles
• Faced enemies on all sides—
Ottoman Turks, French,
rebellious German princes
• Also fought for religious control
over Europe
• Wanted Europe to be Roman
Catholic
• Growing Protestant movement
threatened influence
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Confrontation
• 1521, Charles confronted Protestant leader Martin Luther directly
• In spite of Charles’ efforts, Protestants gained influence
• Rebellions against Catholic rulers spread
• After years of warfare, Charles V had to sign Peace of Augsburg

Peace
• Agreement gave each German prince right to decide if his state
would be Catholic or Protestant
• Charles’ vision of a Catholic Europe never became reality
• Constant warfare also brought Charles to brink of bankruptcy
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Success in Americas

Charles V more successful in Americas than in

Europe
• During reign, Spanish explorers claimed much of
Americas for Spain
• Among explorers King Charles supported
– Hernán Cortés, who conquered Aztec empire
– Francisco de Coronado, who explored American Southwest
region
• Silver and gold flowed from American colonies
• Brought Spain fabulous wealth
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Dividing the Empire

Relinquished Thrones Imposing Their Will
• Frustrated by failures in • Brother took over
Europe Hapsburg holdings in
Austria
• 1556, Charles V gave up
thrones • Son, Philip II, ruled
Netherlands, Spain, Sicily,
• Decided to divide large Spain’s colonies
empire
• Charles V moved to
• Split between his brother monastery, dream of
and his son unified empire unfulfilled
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Draw Conclusions

In what ways was Charles V successful as

an emperor? In what ways was he
unsuccessful?
Answer(s): successful—exploration of the
Americas, which brought fabulous wealth to
Spain; unsuccessful—did not maintain religious
control over Europe; constant wars brought
financial problems
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Artistic Achievements
• From 1550 to 1650, Spanish golden age of artistic achievement
• Became known as the Golden Century
Art Court Painter
• One of most prominent • Another Spanish painter,
painters, Greek Domenicos Diego Velázquez
Theotocopoulos
• Created masterpieces
• Became known as El Greco; portraying people of all social
style famous for elongated classes with great dignity
figures
• Velázquez had privilege of
• Much work religious, reflected being the court painter
Spain’s central role in Counter-
Reformation
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Literature
Writers Cervantes
• Spanish golden age also • Most famous work, Don Quixote
produced fine writers de la Mancha
• Greatest was Miguel de • About man caught between
Cervantes medieval, modern worlds

Colonial Writers Church Criticism

• Writers in Spain’s colonies • Church officials criticized Sister
produced works of merit Juana for some of her ideas
• Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz • She believed women had right
wrote poetry, prose, plays to education
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Summarize

What were some achievements of Spain’s

Golden Century?

Answer(s): paintings by El Greco and Velásquez,

writings by Miguel de Cervantes and Juana Ines
de la Cruz
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Spain under Philip II

• Spain at peak of grandeur with reign of Philip II
• One reason—stream of gold and silver from colonies in Americas
• With wealth came power—but gold could not solve Spain’s
problems
Religion and Revolt Catholicism in Revolt in the Low
• King Philip II devout Territories Countries
Catholic • Mary died before • Philip’s faith clashed
having heir to return with Calvinist
• Saw himself as leader
England to Catholic Protestantism of
of Counter-
faith northern Low Country
Reformation
provinces
• Philip also wanted to
• Marriage to Queen
secure position of • 1560s, bloody revolt
Mary I of England
Catholicism in began
chance to spread
European territories
Catholicism
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Dutch Revolt

Dutch refused to declare allegiance to Philip

• To punish, Philip sent army under command of Duke
of Alba
• Alba set up court
– Known locally as Court of Blood
– Tortured, executed thousands suspected of being rebels
– Cruelties made situation worse; rebellion broke out anew
• Revolt dragged on for decades
• 1609, truce reached
• Seven northern provinces formed independent
nation, the Netherlands
• Southern provinces remained in Spanish hands
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Spain and England

English Aid to Dutch
• Dutch revolt deepened another rivalry, between Spain, England
• As fellow Protestants, England sent aid to Dutch rebels
• England’s assistance to Dutch infuriated Philip
Attacks on Spanish Ships
• Philip also worried about English attacks on his ships
• England’s Queen Elizabeth I allowed ship captains to attack Spanish
treasure ships, steal gold, silver for England
Invasion Planned
• King Philip II wanted to stop England from raiding ships, return England to
Catholic Church
• Decided to invade England
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Philip’s Armada
• Philip ordered navy to assemble great fleet, the Spanish Armada
• Totaled about 130 ships, 20,000 soldiers, sailors
• 1588, invincible fleet sailed into English channel
• Queen Elizabeth I rallied troops and prepared for attack

Naval Battles Armada Not Invincible

• Spanish packed ships with
soldiers for land invasion
• Also planned to be joined by
Spanish forces in Netherlands
• Faced fierce naval battles that
severely damaged fleet
• English aimed eight fire ships at
remaining ships of Armada
• Spanish ships fled in panic,
disarray
• As damaged ships made way
home, several were wrecked
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

An Empire in Decline
• The defeat of the Armada was not the end for Spain, which
recovered from the loss.
• But England remained Protestant, defiant, and undefeated.

Internal Problems Americans Join the Battle

• Spain’s real problems internal • Philip spent wealth from
• Philip’s government centralized Americas on constant warfare
• He trusted no one • Borrowed money often; went
• Court riddled by factions, bankrupt four times
suspicion • Prices driven up, inflation
• Government action practically • Spain did not develop industries
came to standstill
Relying on traditional agricultural economy, Spain’s economy lagged
behind that of other countries. Spain declined as a major power.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Recall

What were two events that caused problems

for Spain?

Answer(s): revolt in the Netherlands; defeat of

the Spanish Armada