Transcript Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism

Spain’s Empire and
European Absolutism
Spain’s Empire
Background
Charles V- Holy Roman Emperor(1556)
Gives Ferdinand (brother) Austria & Holy Roman
Emp.
Gives Philip II (son) Spain & Spanish colonies
What was happening in the HRE during the
1500s that would have led to Charles V
retirement?
Reign of Philip II begins
Philip II
Seized kingdom of
Portugal
Gold and Silver poured
into empire…all that
glitters is not gold though
(lessons of the Muslim
Empires)
Philip II’s Religious Conflicts
Reconquista just ended
“Campaign to remove Muslims from Spain”
Duty to defend Catholicism from ALL
opposition
Philip II sends ships to fight Ottomans – wins
Tries to attack English (Elizabeth I)
Big Mistake…
The Defeat of
Spanish Armada
In 1588
English Fire ships!
• England
had smaller,
faster ships
And the
weather played
a BIG part.
Spain’s Golden Age
Escorialhttp://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=H3V349XzpYI
What are the reasons for
designing a palace?
What could a palace like
the Escorial symbolize?
Philip II and his government
Religious control  Spain and ALL parts
of empire were CATHOLIC…end of story
Spanish nobility –> served as viceroys,
admirals, or generals
Was this an example of Philip II sharing
power?
Social prestige not political power
Philip II and government
Council of State  advises the King,
but the King never showed
What was the purpose of having this
“Council of State”?
The role of professional graduates
Execute royal authority not formulate it
Promotion through efficiency
Empire Weakens
Money was only temporary
Inflation
Growing population  what do they need?
Tons of silver  how is that a bad thing?
Jews & Muslims expelled = businessmen
Nobles did not pay taxes
Poor paid taxes, prevented a middle class
Spain’s Enemies
Spanish cloth very expensive
Buy French & English cloth
Wealth goes to enemies  angered Philip
II
No $$ to declare wars…had to borrow it
Any $$ coming into Spain, went right to
other countries
Declare bankruptcy
Dutch Revolt
Under Spanish control
Spain – Very Catholic
Dutch – Very Protestant
Raised taxes very high
Dutch fight back, destroy Catholic
churches
Send in Spanish Duke of Alva
Kills 1,500 on one day
11 yrs. Later, declare indep.
STOP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl3s
tf20X10 0-6:55/
What were the reasons Spain and
England did not get along?
After watching the video, what in world
history might be changed had the
Spanish Armada won?
Absolutism in Europe
Monarchs wanted to be absolute monarchs
“Kings or Queens who hold ALL power within
their states’ boundaries.”
Control EVERY aspect of society
Divine Right
• “Idea that God created the monarchy and the
monarchy was God’s representative on Earth.”
Answer only to God, not subjects
Growing Power
Decline of Feudalism – Centralized Authority
Growing Middle Class – Back Monarch
Wealth from Colonies – Merchant Class
Religious Conflicts – Lose Power
Conflict in Territories – Increase Monarch
Power
Monarchs
Regulate Everything
Social gatherings & Religious Worship
Create Gov’t Bureaucracies
Free Themselves From Limitations
Most Famous is Louis XIV of France…
…To Be Continued…