The 17th Century Crisis of the Spanish Monarchy

The Reign of Philip III and the *Validos*

Philip III was not as energetic as his father. In this century, the king usually left political decisions to the *validos*—a royal favorite who governed on his behalf and concentrated political power. The Duke of Lerma was the main *valido* of Philip III.

The Expulsion of the Moriscos (1609–1614)

The expulsion of the Moriscos was the continuation of preceding dynamics and tensions. This was a decision driven by the Duke of Lerma. It proved to be a disaster in economic and demographic terms, because the Moriscos were hard agrarian and artisanal workers.

The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648)

Philip III and Philip IV supported the Habsburg Emperor against the Palatinate Elector and other subjects. Initially, they secured some victories, such as at Breda or the defense of Cádiz. Nevertheless, the loss in Matanzas and the entrance of Sweden into the war changed the balance. With the wind in favor, France, led by Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, joined the conflict.

They achieved a symbolic victory at Rocroi against the exhausted Hispanic *Tercios* in 1643. Philip IV decided to sacrifice some territories. By the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the Hispanic Monarchy recognized the independence of the United Provinces.

However, war with France continued until the Peace of the Pyrenees in 1659, which also ceded some territories in Flanders and Northern Catalonia. That supposed the end of the Hispanic hegemony as the leading military and political power in Europe.

The Crisis of 1640

These internal conflicts and external wars led to widespread instability, culminating in the Crisis of 1640. All these problems and the loss of Portugal ultimately defeated Olivares as the royal favorite.

Major Rebellions and Conspiracies

• Uprising in Catalonia: Rejecting the centralizing policies, revolts broke out. This was supported by France. After a war, the royal rule of the Hispanic Monarchy was restored in 1652.
• Portuguese Rebellion: They were uncomfortable with the "Union of Arms," and the nobles refused to help against the Catalan revolts. They proclaimed the Duke of Braganza King of Portugal and achieved independence in 1668.
• Aristocratic Conspiracies: Conspiracies appeared first in Andalusia, and a few years later in Aragon. Meanwhile, in Naples, a popular movement known as the Anti-Spanish Revolt appeared.