The Rise and Fall of the Spanish Empire: From Habsburgs to Bourbons

in the Early modern age the spanish monarchs wanted to become more powerful.For this Reason they did many things inside the country (domestic policy) and outside ( Foreign policy).After the reign of the cactholic cmonarchs and the higher Habsburgs the spell of good luck became to the end with the lesser habsburgs And Felipe V

The reign Of Cacholic Monarchs lasted from 1469 to 1516.With the marriage of Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragon this two crowns joined.With the Catholic Monarchs began the modern state and there was a common policy in the Iberian Peninsula but independent kingdoms. About the foreign policy during this reign They made alliances with other European kingdoms(From Habsburg to holy roman empire) by matrimonial policy with england and also with Portugal.Matrimonial Policy achieve political objectives.Catholic monarchs conquered lands in North Africa (Algeria,Melilla,Lybia) and they recovery the kingdom of Naples after Defeating France. During their reignAmerica was discovered by Cristopher Colombus in 1492 and thanks of this,they Won a lot of power.

After the catholic monarchs the Higher habsburgs (Carlos I and Felipe II) come to the Throne in the Spanish empire.Carlos inherited the Netherlands,the frank Country,and part of central Europe. He defeatsFrance and started to control more Italian territories. Felipe II Defeats the french at the battle of Saint Quentin ( spanish predominance in Italy for a ong time ) and he also defeats the Turks at the battle of Lepanto.

After the Higher habsburgs the lesser habsburgs (Felipe III, Felipe VI and Carlos II) Come to the throne. But they freed themselves ofthey governmental obligations by delegate Their powers trusted advisors.Who acted as prime minister and were known as Validos

During Felipe III reign, his valido Duke of Lema governed,spain was a bankrupt so to Reduce expanses the armed conflicts were ended,a teatry of peace was signed With England, In 1609 the expulsion of the moriscos was meant that more than 300.000 left the country of who the majority were Farmers. This expulsion had An extremely negative effect on Spanish economy particularly in agriculture. Due to this spam spain suffered a severe crisis.

Felipe VI Delegated power to his valido,Count Duke of Olivares.Who attempt to regain Power over Europe.To achieve this,spam tock part in Thirty Years wars.

Thirty Years war between 1618 and 1648 and was caused by conflicts between catholics And protestants in the HRE. It ended with a sign of treaty.

The Consequence of this in spain was the Spanish monarchy lost their predominance Over Europe and France became the leading power over Europe. After spain was Defeated by france , Portugal gained its independence.

During Carlos II reign there weredifferent validosbecause he was a minor when he came to the Throne and was also suffering a form of illness. The dinasty of the habsburgh Ended after Carlos II cause he hadntgot Any son.

After Carlos II death there were two candidates to occupy the throne.Felipe of the Bourbons from france and the archiduke Charles this caused the war of Succession (1701-1703)Felipe of the bourbons won and became the king of Spain As Felipe V. With he the political system of Spain was absolutism. There was Another political system in England that was the preliminary monarchy

in Coclusion what we can say about Spanish empireis that it pass form be a huge empire where the sun never set in all the Territories with the catholic monarchs and higher habsburgs.To lose a lot of Power and territories...And suffered a crisis in 17 cent.With lesser and Felipe V.