Chapter 5 Section 1 Spain’s Empire & European Absolutism

Charles V of Spain retires Austria & Holy Roman Empire to brother Ferdinand Spain, Spanish Netherlands & American Colonies To son Philip II

Philip II of Spain “His smile and his dagger were very close” 1580- seizes Portugal (they had no ruler…why not?) Tremendous Wealth due to colonies Large army What were the sources of Spain’s tremendous wealth? What problems might this wealth have caused? Why might a large empire be difficult to rule?

Philip II (Defender of Catholicism) Spanish history of religious conflict- Reconquista (Muslims), Spanish Inquisition (heretics/non-believers) Battle of Lepanto vs. Ottoman Empire Spanish Armada vs. Protestant England

Battle of Lepanto

Battle of Lepanto

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

Golden Age of Spanish Art and Literature Monarchs and Nobles become patrons

El Greco “The Greek” Brilliant colors, distorted figures, expressed emotion symbolically Showed Catholic faith a.k.a. Domeniko Theotokopoulos

El Greco

Velazquez Paintings reflect pride of Spanish monarchy Court painter to Philip IV of Spain Portraits of royal family and scenes of court life

Velazquez

The Spanish Empire Weakens Severe Inflation Population growth = rise in prices Silver bullion flooded market Loss of business when expelled Jews/Moors Tax burden on lower classes prevented formation of a middle class

The Spanish Empire Weakens Old fashioned methods of Spanish guilds make foreign goods more competitive Expensive war debts to other countries Dutch Revolt bring prosper & art

Rembrandt Vermeer Dutch Trading Empire Stability of Dutch government Largest fleet of ships in world Dutch East India Company

Absolutism in Europe Rulers wanted to be ABSOLUTE MONARCHS Kings/Queens who hold all the power Believe in a thing called DEVINE RIGHT Idea that God created the monarchy and they alone are acting on God’s words