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Spain’s Empire & European Absolutism

Spain’s Empire & European Absolutism. I. Absolutism in Europe. one ruler should hold ALL the power Absolute monarchs (kings or queens) Divine right Decline of feudalism, rise of cities & kingdoms Backed by middle class Used wealth of colonies (17 th cent.) Regulated everything

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Spain’s Empire & European Absolutism

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  1. Spain’s Empire & European Absolutism

  2. I. Absolutism in Europe • one ruler should hold ALL the power • Absolute monarchs (kings or queens) • Divine right • Decline of feudalism, rise of cities & kingdoms • Backed by middle class • Used wealth of colonies (17th cent.) • Regulated everything • Goal: free themselves from limitations imposed by nobility & by representative bodies

  3. II. Absolutism in Spain • A. Charles V • Member of Hapsburgs (German) • 1516: inherited Spain & possessions • 1519: elected Holy Roman emperor • 1521: Edict of Worms (Martin Luther) • 1529: drove Ottomans from Vienna • 1555: Peace of Augsburg • Spanish holdings were too vast for one ruler

  4. 1556: gave up throne, divided lands among family • Phillip II – Spain & Amer. possessions • Ferdinand I – Holy Roman Emperor • Charles V retired to monastery (d. 1558)

  5. B. Philip II • Born & educated in Spain (d. 1598) • Worked long hours, devout Catholic • 1580: claimed Port. & holdings • Empire provided tremendous wealth • By 1600: Amer. mines = 339,000 pounds of gold • Betw. 1550-1650: 16,000 tons of silver bullion • King of Spain claimed 20-25% • Made central govt. responsible only to him

  6. Built El Escorial (royal palace) • Religious wars (must defend Catholicism!) • 1571: Spanish & Venetian ships defeated Ottoman fleet (Battle of Lepanto) • 1588: Spanish Armada to punish England (Prots)---FAILURE!

  7. III. The Spanish Empire Weakens • Amer. wealth caused long-term economic problems

  8. A. Inflation & Taxes • Inflation: decline in value of $, accompanied by a rise in prices of goods • 2 Causes: • 1. growing pop. (more demand for food & goods) • 2. abundance of silver (value went down)

  9. Other causes of economic probs. • 1. 1500: Spain expelled artisans & business people (Jews & Muslims) • 2. Nobles did not pay taxes (lower classes taxed more) • 3. outdated manufacturing techniques = expensive goods—looked elsewhere (favorable balance of trade?) • 4. borrowed $ from German & Italian bankers to finance wars

  10. B. The Dutch Rebellion • Spanish Netherlands (paid army to control) • Dutch had little in common w/Spanish rulers • Spain = Catholic • Dutch = Calvinists • Dutch had strong middle class

  11. Philip’s 3 Errors that led to Dutch rebellion: • 1. ignored self-rule in Neth. (HE was the ruler, NOT local nobles!) • 2. taxed the Neth’s. trade heavily • 3. persecuted the Calvinists

  12. 1568: William the Silent led Dutch revolt • Relied on guerilla warfare • Philip sent the Spanish Duke of Alva • 1579: Northern Neth. declared independence • 1609-1621: 12 yr. truce • 1621-1648: Northern Neth. won independence • Spain won loyalty of southern provinces

  13. IV. The Dutch Prosper • Dutch dominated Euro. commerce/trade—North Sea • Amsterdam = world financial center • Only Calvinists could hold office • Neth. different from other Euros. • 1. religious toleration • 2. republic, NOT a kingdom • Stability of govt. allowed great economic growth

  14. A. Dutch Art • 1600s: Neth. = Florence (1400s) • Best banks & artists in Euro. • Rembrandt van Rijn • Portraits of wealthy middle-class merchants • The Night Watch

  15. Jan Vermeer • Domestic, indoor settings • The Astronomer • The Geographer

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