Chapter 5 Section 1 Spains Empire and European

Chapter 5 Section 1 Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism

A Powerful Spanish Empire • Charles V fought off Muslims and opposed the Lutherans. • In 1555 he grudgingly agreed to the Peace of Augsburg • He ended up dividing his empire and retiring to a monastery. • Left his brother Ferdinand all of Austria and the Holy Roman Empire • He gave his son Phillip II Spain, the Netherlands, and American colonies

• Phillip II was shy and deeply religious but very hard working. • Would not take any advice when it came to ruling the country • He trusted absolute no one • Extremely aggressive, when king of Portugal died Phillip II marched in and took over.

• Due to his expanding empire in 1600 American mines supplied Spain with 339, 000 lbs. of gold. • Between 1550 -1650 roughly 16, 000 tons of silver • This will help to build a large army of about 50, 000

Religious Reform • When Phillip II took the throne he was fighting off religious wars from the reformation. • He believed his duty was to defend the Catholic faith against the Muslims and Protestants. • In 1571 the Pope called for all Catholic princes to raise an army to defeat the Ottomans. • Phillip II responded with 200 ships. • Then in 1588 he tries to fight England(Eliz. 1 st) He will lose this badly.

Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature • Spain's new wealth allowed them to become patrons of the art. • Between 16&17 centuries they had a golden age of arts. • El Greco- Loved to distort the human figure and express symbolism through emotions • Showed the deep faith of Catholicism

The Spanish Empire Weakens • One problem Spain will deal with is inflation (decline of value of money with rise of price of goods and services) • Spain's population has been growing meaning what? ? ? • As silver came into the country it flooded the market and dropped its own value. • People needed more and more of it to buy stuff.

More economic troubles • With the expulsion of the Muslims and Jews many valuable artisans and businesses moved. • On top of this Spain’s nobles did not have to pay taxes therefore that tax burned fell on the lower class. • If they had to be the ones paying then what does this cause for them?

More tax issues • Spanish manufactured goods within Spain will become extremely expensive due to guilds and the middle ages therefore will have to turn to other sources. • Buy from France, England, and the Netherlands which means wealth will flow out of the country instead of in. • To finance any wars they will borrow money from German and Italian bankers. • When silver was shipped into the country it was sent right back out to pay debts. • Phillip had to declare bankruptcy 3 times.

The Dutch Revolt • In the Spanish Netherlands Phillip II had to maintain army just to keep people under control • To raise money Phillip II overtaxed the Netherlands • What was their response? (Raided catholic churches) • Phillip responded with force and make a public execution of 1, 500 protestants/rebels

The Independent Dutch Prosper • The Dutch will eventually in 1579 declare independence from Spain • Will practice religious toleration. Why? • Had provinces with elected governors. • Eventually had the best artists in Europe and banks, and wealthy merchants.

The Dutch Trading Empire • Because of the stability of the Dutch government, trading was a giant factor to their economic growth. • Bought up surplus grain and re sold it at much higher priced markets will eventually have the largest fleet in the world • Will become the powerhouse country of the merchant world

Absolutism in Europe • Many monarchs will begin to rule with absolute authority. • Wanted to be Absolute Monarchs- Kings or queens who held all the powers within their prospective states. Goal was to control every aspect of society • Absolute monarchs believed in divine right- the idea that God created the monarchy and that the monarch was God’s representative on earth. Answered only to God and not his subjects.

Growing Power of European Monarchs • The decline of feudalism and the rise of cities, and growth of national kingdoms led to centralized authority. • Middle class usually backed the monarch because the monarchy usually kept business’s happy. • Church authority eventually broke down which opened the way for monarchs to assume more control.

Crisis Leads to Absolutism • In 17 th century was a period of great upheaval in Europe. • Continuous warfare over property and religions • Governments will build up huge armies and levy heavy taxes. • This pressure brought in unrest and frustration which will lead to peasant revolts.

• Monarchs believed a way to counter this was to increase their power usually by a show of strength. • Changed all aspects of life from religious worship to social gatherings. • Created new beauracrcies in order to free themselves from nobles and parliaments.