UNIT 9-THE HABSBURG DYNASTY

1.THE EMPIRE OF CHARLES I

  

 -Heir to an empire

Charles I of Spain, who was also Charles V of Germany, was the son of Joanna of Castile and the German prince Philip of Habsburg. His inheritance included:

• From his mother's side, the Kingdom of Castile, Navarre, the Crown of Aragon and territories in America and Italy.

• From his father's side, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Granche-comté. When his grandfaher, the Emperor Maximilian, died, he also inherited his German territories and was given the title of Emperor.

 -Problems within the Empire

Charles I ruled from 1559 but took little interest in the Iberian Peninsula. Several revolts took place during his reing:

• The Revolt of the Comuneros was an uprising of nobles, the bourgeoisie and the peasants of Castile against the king's economec policy. The revolt was defeated by the army of Charles I.

• The Revolt of the Brotherhoods was an uprising of artisans and peasants in Valencia and Mallorca. The artisans wanted access to government office and the peasants wanted better rental conditions. The king's army suppressed the revolt.

-Problems abroad

Charles I also fought against foreing powers to defend his authority and the Catholic religion:

• He went to war with France, defeated the French army in the Battle of Pavia.

•  He fought the Turks.

•  He confonted the German princes, who supported Lutheran reform.

2.THE SPANISH EMPIRE OF PHILIP II

-Philip II's government

In 1556, Charles I gave the title of Emperor of Germany and his Austria territories to his younguer son Ferdinand. 

He gave the rest of his territories, which included Spain, to his older son Philip

-Foreing policy  

Philip II tried to maintain Spanish power in Eurpoe and imposed the Catholic religion. This policy led his forces into several armed conflicts:

• Against the French, who defeated in the Battle of Saint-Quenting in 1557.

• Against the Turks, who defeated in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

• Against England, which supported the Protestants and attacked Spanish ships trading with America. He sent the Spanish Armada to invade England.

• Against Flanders, which revolted against high taxes and suffered because of the religious conflict. Philip II sent tercios to the area.

 When de king of Portugal died without and heir, Philip II annexed Portugal.

 3.SPANISH ECONOMIC AND SOCIETY IN THE 16th CENTURY.

-The economy

During the 16th century, large amounts of gold and silver were brought to Spain from America.

An increase in the demand for goods from America led to growth in trade and commerce.

Most trade took place in Castilian cities and Atlantic ports, such as Seville.

Spanish and foreing traders brought goods from all over Europe to the Iberian Peninsula. Traders then distributed American goods.

Most of the land belonged to the aristocracy or the Church and was used mostly for livestock farming.

-Society

In the 16th century, the population of Spain increased, especially in Castile.

The privileged class was made up of nobles and clergy, who owned most of the land. Eighty percent of the population were peasants, who paid taxes and had limited rights.

Other groups in Spanish society included Moriscos (converted Muslims) and converted Jews.

4.THE DECLINE OF DE EMPIRE IN THE 17th CENTURY

-Philip III: The government of favourites

Monarchs in the 17th century left governing to favourites, who became very powerful mimisters. Philip III delegated power to the Duke of Lerma, who maintained peace abroad.

In 1609, Philip III ordered the expulsion of the Moriscos from the Peninsula.

 -Philip IV: The end of European dominace

Philip IV appointed the Count-Duke of Olivares as his favourite.

This policy led to a war with France known as the Thirty Years' War. The war ended with the signing of the Peace of Westphlia treaty in 1648.

In Andalusia the revolt was suppressed, but Portugal managed to separate from the Spanish Crown with support from England and France.

 

Catalonia also received help from the French and the ensuing conflict continued until 1652. The war between Spain and France finally ended with the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.

-Charles II: Crisis in the Habsburg Monarchy

Spain experienced a period of crisis during the reign of Charles II, Spain's last Habsburg monarch. The crisis was caused by the king's incompetence, corruption among his favourites and a number of economic problems.

When Charles II died without an heir in 1700, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out between Australia. 

5.ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CRISIS IN THE 17th CENTURY 

-Crisis in the Crown of Castile

In the 17th century, there was a sharp decrease in the population of Castile because of emigration to America.

A agricultural conditions worsened, many peasants moved to cities. Livestock farming also suffered, after years of war and drought had destroyed pastureland,

Industry and trade decreased significantly because of foreing competition, poverty and limited demand for goods from America.

While the nobles acquired more new property and other luxuries, the peasants artisans and hidalgos struggled to survive the economic crisis.

- The crisis and the crown of Aragon

The crisis did not have the same effect on places like Aragon, which had not been central to America trade. Aragon's more stable economy allowed new trading companies to appear, and a silk textile industry also began.