Unit 9: Absolutism in Spain

Unit 9: Absolutism in Spain Chapter 16 Section 1

Spain c.1030collection of many kingdoms

Ferdinand and Isabella • Their marriage in 1469 combined Aragon and Castile • Began the unification process (remain separate at 1st) • They took many steps to achieve strong absolute authority and reduce power of the nobles • Destroyed castles • Removed nobles from important positions (replaced with townspeople) • Forbade private warfare

Religious persecution • Another step towards unification and absolute power was their support of the RC church • “one god one king” Jews and Muslims needed to be dealt with • 1482-1492: The Re-conquest of Granada • In 1492 the Jews were driven into Exile (property confiscated) • Negative impacts? • Inquisition brought back to monitor converted Jews and Muslims

There were many means of this physical torture for confession. The two most famous or infamous were the strappado or pulley, and the asellior water torment. The strappado was a device that used ropes to strap a person in by their arms and legs, and then weights were attached to the ends of these ropes. The person was raised to a certain level and then the ropes were released. This created a situation where the body would be stretchedpainfully, sometimes enough to produce death (see Figure 1). The aselli was accomplished as a person was brought to lay down on a trestle with sharp-edged rungs and secured with an iron band. Their feet would be elevated above their heads. The accused then had a small piece of linen forced into the gullet. Using a jar (jarra), water would be poured into the mouth and nose producing a state of semi-suffocation. The process would be done repeatedly. While doing that process, the cords binding the limbs would be tightened until it would seem the very veins would explode .

Spain emerges • Wealth from the “New World” pushes Spain forward quickly • 1482-1492 re-conquered Granada from the Moors (The Reconquest) • 1504 conquered Naples • 1512 conquered Navarre to the North • Anti-French Political marriages strengthened Spain’s position • Daughter Joanna married to the son of the HRE Max I Archduke Phillip • 2nd daughter Catherine of Aragon married to Arthur of England • 1517 The Kingdom of Spain has emerged with Charles I as its ruler

Charles I or (V) (r. 1517-1556) • Grandson of Ferd. and Is. born in 1500 • Married into Hapsburg Dynasty • At 6 King of the Netherlands • At 15 King of Spain • At 20 HRE • Problems (Luther, the French and the Turks) • 1556 retired to a monastery and divided his lands between his son and brother

Phillip II (r.1556-1598) • Charles son Phillip II receives Spain, the Netherlands and the New World. • His Brother Ferdinand became the HRE • Phillip II: Spaniard, control freak, good organizer but lacked personal touch • Patron of the arts • El Greco “The Greek” Painter • Miguel De Cervantes (Don Quixote)

Phillip II: War with Turks/Netherlands • Defeated the Turks in a naval engagement the Battle of Lepanto 1571 • Off the coast of Greece • Calvinists revolt against RC Spanish Rule in 1581 • William Duke of Orange led the resistance • Support from Elizabeth I and anti-Spanish exiles • Dutch open the Dikes and flood the country to fend off the Spanish • Result: Treaty created the Spanish Netherlands and the United Netherlands

The Spanish Armada • Motivations: Phillip was angered by English aid to the Dutch, religious differences, commercial rivalries and the execution of Mary Stuart in 1587 • May 30 1588 130 Ships with 30,000 sailors set out for England • English And Dutch ships were able to defeat the Armada with the help of a storm that divided the Spanish fleet (destroyed 1/3rd of the Spanish ships) • Francis Drake (commander of English forces)

Spain’s Decline • Reasons • Cost of war • Neglect of trade and industry (middle class) • Changes in agriculture (land to graze sheep not for food caused soil erosion) forced to import food • Over-dependence on colonial wealth • No investment in economy • Mines begin to slow down

Unit 9: Absolutism in Spain