Philip II: Consolidating Power in the Spanish Empire

Philip II: Architect of the Spanish Empire

In 1556, Charles V (Charles I of Spain) abdicated the throne. His son, Philip II, inherited all his territories, except Austria and the title of Emperor. In 1580, Philip II incorporated Portugal into the Crown of Castile.

Despite losing the imperial title, Philip II sought to maintain the hegemony of the Habsburgs in Europe through the economic and military strength of Castile. He also initiated numerous wars to challenge the Protestants and the Ottoman Empire.

Centralizing Power and Administration

To administer such a vast empire, Philip II centralized government and established Madrid as its capital. He utilized various government institutions to aid his rule and enhance his authority. The king never convened the Cortes, governing instead with the assistance of:

• Secretaries
• Representatives from the Councils of State, particularly those from Castile

He established territorial councils in each region, overseen by a viceroy and a royal court. In Castilian cities, he appointed royal officials, known as corregidores, to represent his royal authority. Philip II also created a large bureaucracy, significantly increasing the number of civil servants. Furthermore, he developed a professional army, primarily based on the formidable tercio units.

The European Scene: Conflicts and Diplomacy

Defending the Empire and maintaining Catholicism were the primary features of Habsburg foreign policy during Philip II's reign.

Rivalries and Religious Strife

The Habsburgs competed with France for control of the Italian Peninsula, notably defeating the French at the Battle of Pavia (1525) and San Quentin (1557).

Support for Lutheranism in the German states led to significant conflict. Charles V signed the Peace of Augsburg (1555), which formally recognized and agreed to the expansion of Protestantism within the Holy Roman Empire.

Calvinism had also spread rapidly in the Netherlands, where its inhabitants resisted paying taxes to the Spanish Crown. This resistance escalated into the Dutch Revolt, leading to part of the territory becoming independent and the creation of the United Provinces in 1579.

In England, King Henry VIII established Anglicanism, and England actively aided Protestants on the Continent. The English also disrupted Spanish trade with the Americas by supporting piracy. In response, Philip II organized the formidable Spanish Armada in 1588, but it was ultimately destroyed by a severe storm.