Spanish Empire's Golden Age: Habsburg Monarchs & Policies

The Catholic Monarchs: Foundations of Spanish Power

Foreign Policy Achievements

• Established alliances with other European kingdoms, such as the Holy Roman Empire, controlled by the Habsburg dynasty.
• Carefully planned matrimonial policies, marrying their sons and daughters to the princes and princesses of Portugal, the Habsburg Empire, and England.
• Conquered land in North Africa.
• Recovered the Kingdom of Naples after the war against France.
• Significant geographical expeditions led to the discovery of America in 1492.

Habsburg Spain: A Golden Age and Its Challenges

Key Monarchs of the 16th Century

The 16th century in Spain saw the reign of the Habsburg dynasty monarchs: Carlos I (son of Felipe I and Juana I) and Felipe II.

Carlos I (Charles V): Emperor and King

Early Life and Accession

Carlos I was born in Flanders in 1500. In 1516, he was proclaimed King of Spain. He was also elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Charles V, reigning until 1556. That year, he renounced his crowns and part of the Habsburg territories, which passed to his brother Fernando. His son, Felipe II, inherited Spain and all its possessions.

Domestic Policy

• Carlos I governed many kingdoms.
• He ended the German revolt (1519-1523).
• The Rebellion of the Comuneros, provoked by members of the bourgeoisie, arose from their rejection of the king's foreign advisors and the rise in taxes.

Foreign Policy

• Carlos I inherited the Netherlands and the Franche-Comté.
• He defeated France.
• He fought against the Ottoman Empire.
• He fought against the German princes at the Battle of Mühlberg, and he had to sign the Peace of Augsburg.

Felipe II: Architect of Spanish Power

Domestic Policy

• He established the capital of his kingdom in Madrid.
• He strengthened the administration, granting more power to secretaries and establishing juntas.
• He maintained the system of viceroys.
• The Morisco rebellion in the Alpujarras occurred in 1568.
• His attempts to influence the institutions of Aragon led to a revolt in 1589, involving the Justicia Mayor de Aragón.

Foreign Policy

• He achieved victory in the Battle of San Quentin.
• He defeated the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto (Greece).
• He attempted to control the Protestants in the Netherlands, which led to a major rebellion.
• He assembled the 'Invincible Armada'.
• He intervened in religious conflicts in France.

Economy and Society in Habsburg Spain

Economic Challenges

• The monarchs' income came from taxes, but the costs of administration and armies grew significantly.
• There were cases of state bankruptcy.
• A rise in taxes and prices occurred.
• An increase in imports was observed.

Social Structure

Nobility

Significant differences existed between high nobility and low nobility.

Clergy

There were also significant differences between the high clergy and the low clergy.

Common People

They constituted the majority of the population.

Societal Transformations

Spanish society underwent several changes:

• The Catholic Monarchs implemented reforms within the clergy.
• Many conflicts arose between the nobles and the petite bourgeoisie.
• There was an increase in the number of government officials.