The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Preview

• Starting Points Map: Monarchs of Europe

• Main Idea / Reading Focus

• The King Becomes Emperor

• Artistic Achievements

• Spain under Philip II

The Power of Spain

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

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?

Main Idea

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

The Power of Spain

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

• 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

Imposing Their Will• 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

Kingly Trait

The King Becomes Emperor

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

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

• 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

Emperor Charles V• 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

Enemies Everywhere

Charles V and the Empire

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

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

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

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

• Brother took over Hapsburg holdings in Austria

• Son, Philip II, ruled Netherlands, Spain, Sicily, Spain’s colonies

• Charles V moved to monastery, dream of unified empire unfulfilled

Imposing Their Will

• Frustrated by failures in Europe

• 1556, Charles V gave up thrones

• Decided to divide large empire

• Split between his brother and his son

Relinquished Thrones

Dividing the Empire

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

• 2. From 1550 to 1650, Spanish golden age of artistic achievement• Became known as the Golden Century

• One of most prominent painters, Greek Domenicos Theotocopoulos

• Became known as El Greco; style famous for elongated figures

• Much work religious, reflected Spain’s central role in Counter-Reformation

Art• Another Spanish painter,

Diego Velázquez

• Created masterpieces portraying people of all social classes with great dignity

• Velázquez had privilege of being the court painter

Court Painter

Artistic Achievements

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Writers

• Spanish golden age also produced fine writers

• Greatest was Miguel de Cervantes

Colonial Writers

• Writers in Spain’s colonies produced works of merit

• Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz wrote poetry, prose, plays

Cervantes

• Most famous work, Don Quixote de la Mancha

• About man caught between medieval, modern worlds

Church Criticism

• Church officials criticized Sister Juana for some of her ideas

• She believed women had right to education

Literature

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

• 3. 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

• King Philip II devout Catholic

• Saw himself as leader of Counter-Reformation

• Marriage to Queen Mary I of England chance to spread Catholicism

Religion and Revolt

• Mary died before having heir to return England to Catholic faith

• Philip also wanted to secure position of Catholicism in European territories

Catholicism in Territories

• Philip’s faith clashed with Calvinist Protestantism of northern Low Country provinces

• 1560s, bloody revolt began

Revolt in the Low Countries

Spain under Philip II

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

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

Invasion Planned

• King Philip II wanted to stop England from raiding ships, return England to Catholic Church

• Decided to invade England

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

Spain and England

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

• 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

• 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

Naval Battles

• 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

Armada Not Invincible

Philip’s Armada

The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

Relying on traditional agricultural economy, Spain’s economy lagged behind that of other countries. Spain declined as a major power.

• The defeat of the Armada was not the end for Spain, which recovered from the loss.

• But England remained Protestant, defiant, and undefeated.

• Spain’s real problems internal• Philip’s government centralized• He trusted no one• Court riddled by factions,

suspicion• Government action practically

came to standstill

Internal Problems

An Empire in Decline

• Philip spent wealth from Americas on constant warfare

• Borrowed money often; went bankrupt four times

• Prices driven up, inflation• Spain did not develop industries

Americans Join the Battle

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