The Golden Age of Spain

1. The Golden Age of Spain Mr. White’s World History Class

2. Objectives • After this section, we should be able to: • Explain the rise and fall of Spain during the 16th century

3. Vocabulary • Absolutism • Divine right • Armada • Inflation

4. Absolute Monarchs • Most monarchs reigning in this time period ruled through absolutism, or complete control in the hands of one ruler • Monarchs legitimized their rule by invoking the idea of divine right, that God gave them the power to rule

5. The Families of Europe • Most monarchies of Europe at the time were hereditary monarchies – the crown was passed down through families • Hapsburgs – Holy Roman Empire, Spain, Austria • Bourbons – France • Tudors – England • These families competed over territory and power

6. The Hapsburgs • The Hapsburgs were one of the most powerful ruling families • Charles the V, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, split his empire into two parts for his sons • Ferdinand – Central Europe, Austria • Philip II – Spain, the Netherlands, southern Italy, and Spain’s overseas empires

7. Spain and Phillip II • Spain was the leading power of western Europe at the start of the 1500s • Phillip II • Saw himself as the defender of Catholicism • Worked to increase Hapsburg (his family) power • Cautious, hard-working, and suspicious of others

8. Phillip II and Religion • Phillip was concerned over the religious loyalty of different groups in Spain • Protestants – not Catholic • Marranos – Jewish converts to Christianity • Moriscos – Muslim converts to Christianity • He supported the Inquisition in Spain – program by the Catholic church to enforce Catholicism throughout Spain • Torture • Execution

9. Spain and the Netherlands • During this time, Spain controlled the Netherlands • Three main factors led to the Netherlands fighting for independence from Spain • Heavy taxation of the Netherlands by Spain to fund its empire • Protestantism in the Netherlands - As a Catholic king, Philip of Spain felt it was his duty to protect Catholicism and destroy Protestantism • Spain began to centralize its power and bring the Netherlands even more under their control, leading to resistance

10. Spain and the Netherlands • Phillip tried to bring the Netherlands more under his control by sending courts to hunt down people who didn’t obey him or Catholicism • Dutch Protestants rebelled and proclaimed their independence from Spain • During this war for independence, the English and Suleiman of the Ottoman empire supported the Dutch against the Spanish • The Dutch win independence from Spain, weakening Spain’s power

11. The Spanish Armada • The English became increasingly troublesome for Phillip • English had supported the Dutch in their revolution • The English were increasingly challenging the Spanish for naval power • 1586 – Phillip decides to invade England to overthrow Elizabeth; devotes all resources to preparing for this invasion for the next two years • Launches 130 ship armada (large fleet of ships), with 33,000 soldiers, which finds its way into the English Channel

12. Spanish armada Larger ships Heavier guns Marines and soldiers trained in close combat – board opposing ships and take them over English ships Faster, more maneuverable Longer range guns Gunners better trained Operating closer to home Spain vs. England – Advantage?

13. Battle of Gravelines • Spanish crescent formation was broken up by the English, using fireships • Spanish never got close to the English – had to for their tactics to work • Spanish gunners hadn’t been trained to reload – fired once, then manned the top-decks to board enemy ships • Spanish armada can’t defeat English, fleet is gradually destroyed by lack of water, storms, and disease – only half the ships and around 10,000 men survive

15. Spanish Decline • Over time, the Spanish empire declined from its glory • Economy • Borrowed large amounts of money to support wars, such as against the Dutch • Gold and silver from the New World first made the country rich, then inflated the currency • Industry and agriculture declined (some say because they were rich, they became poor)

16. Spanish Decline, continued • The Spanish and Portuguese also expelled Muslims and Jews from the country • Many Muslims and Jews were artisans, merchants, bankers, etc., so they took their knowledge, skills, and money with them – “brain drain.” • The new leadership after Philip was generally incompetent in running the empire effectively

17. Summary • So, in the golden age of Spain • Spain was ruled by the Hapsburg empire, a ruling family that ruled throughout Europe • Spain tried to exert influence and control over other countries, such as the Netherlands and England • Many factors, such as loss of the Netherlands, the defeat by England, the decline of the Spanish economy, and poor leadership following Philip the II led to Spain’s decline