Carlos V & Philip II: Spain's 16th-Century Wars and Crisis

Carlos V — Coronation and Succession

Carlos V — Coronation: Isabella the Catholic died, and Juana ascended to the throne. Her husband, Felipe, died suddenly and Juana was later declared unfit to govern. Carlos I, Juana's eldest son, inherited the throne.

Beginning of His Reign

Beginning of his reign: Carlos was born in Ghent, so he did not speak Spanish. This upset the Castilian nobility. An economic crisis provoked the Revolt of the Comuneros (lower nobility) in 1520. Royal representatives defeated them at the Battle of Villalar. At the same time the bourgeoisie and peasants rose up against the nobility in Valencia and Mallorca. The king supported the nobility and the monarchy became more powerful.

Wars and Conflicts

Wars: Carlos fought several wars against Francis I of France; Carlos conquered Milan. Francis I made alliances to weaken the power of Spain. Sultan Suleiman attacked Vienna in 1529, but the city resisted. Barbarossa defeated some Christian fleets and maintained Ottoman influence over parts of the Mediterranean. Carlos V fought the Protestant princes and defeated them at the Battle of Mühlberg. The hostilities between Catholic and Protestant princes continued until the Peace of Augsburg in 1555.

Philip II and Territorial Division

Felipe II: Carlos V divided the territories he inherited: he left Austria and the imperial crown to his brother Ferdinand. To his son Felipe he left Castile, its territories in the Americas, the Crown of Aragon, its Italian possessions, the Low Countries, and Franche-Comté.

Key Conflicts and Events

Major episodes:

1. After France was defeated at the Battle of Saint-Quentin, the new king signed the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559.
2. In 1568 Calvinism had spread in the Low Countries. Felipe sent an army but could not contain the conflict. The northern territories proclaimed their independence in 1581.
3. Felipe organized the Holy League with Venice and the Pope, and the allied fleet defeated Ottoman forces at the naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
4. Queen Elizabeth I supported English privateers and defended rebels in the Low Countries. Felipe assembled a fleet known as the Armada Invencible (Spanish Armada), but it was defeated.

Economic Crisis in Spain

The economic crisis in Spain — Agricultural: Spain became involved in more wars than other European powers, placing heavy burdens on its economy. In 1609 Felipe III expelled the Moriscos, which also had significant social and economic consequences.