Charles I and Philip II: Spain's Imperial Rise and Conflicts
Charles I and the Consolidation of the Spanish Crown
Charles of Castile, Aragon, Granada, the Canaries, Americas, Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Catalonia, Valencia and Majorca. To Joan and Philip, with Castile, Burgundy and Flanders, his son Charles I was crowned King of Castile and Aragon in 1516, and in 1519 Charles I of Spain inherited the German empire under the name Charles V.
The Comuneros Revolt (1520-1521)
Many cities of Castile joined the revolt against the authority of the King, and some were counselled by foreigners.
The Germanías Revolt (1521-1532)
In Valencia and Majorca, artisans, nobles and peasants opposed the directing role of the Guilds.
Fronts of Empire
Fronts:
America. Territories ceded to the Crown of Castile and the Catholic Kings expanded the empire.
Europe. Charles fought German princes who had adopted the Reform of Luther. Many Protestants and Catholics clashed in a civil war that ended with the Peace of Augsburg (1555). Charles I was constantly at war against the Turks and finally in 1535 took possession of Tunisia. In 1556 he abdicated the throne, passing most of his possessions to his son Philip II.
Philip II and the Hispanic Monarchy
Philip II did not receive the territories of the German empire, and he was therefore the sole monarch of the Hispanic Monarchy.
Focus of expansion:
Mediterranean. Philip confronted the Ottoman Empire. The Turks were defeated at the Battle of Lepanto (1571), thanks to a large fleet led by John of Austria. This fleet was the result of an alliance between Philip II, Venice and the Papacy.
Atlantic. England began a tough rivalry with Philip II, supporting Protestant Europeans against him. To resolve this problem, in 1588 Philip II launched an invasion of the British Isles with the Armada, but it was defeated.
Europe. Philip II confronted the rebellion of the Netherlands, which England helped. In Flanders, Protestant princes claimed their independence. Other tensions continued with France.
The Union of the Crowns
In 1580 Philip II was proclaimed King of Portugal, incorporating Portuguese possessions in America and thus constituting a giant empire.
Religious Intolerance
Philip II prohibited the import of books and empowered the Inquisition.
The Morisco Uprising
In the Kingdom of Granada, the Moriscos allied with pirates led a rebellion, which was suppressed by the king's forces.
The Aragonese Revolt (1591)
Discontent grew because the king appointed a foreigner to a high office, and he fought the Aragonese charters.
The Inquisition
The Inquisition was a judicial institution that fought against heretics and others.