During a time of religious and economic instability in 16th century Spain, Philip II ruled with a strong hand and expanded Spain's vast empire through war and conquest. However, rising taxes and inflation weakened Spain's economy over time. The Dutch Revolt resulted in the independence of the Netherlands, and the Dutch Republic became a prosperous trading power while practicing religious tolerance. Meanwhile, other European monarchs asserted more absolute control over their kingdoms in response to crises and challenges to their authority in the 17th century.

1. Spain’s Empire andSpain’s Empire and
European AbsolutismEuropean Absolutism
Chapter 21, Section 1Chapter 21, Section 1

2. Section OpenerSection Opener
 During a time ofDuring a time of
religious andreligious and
economic instability,economic instability,
Philip II rules SpainPhilip II rules Spain
with a strong hand.with a strong hand.
Philip II of Spain
May 21 1527 - September 13 1598

3. A Powerful Spanish EmpireA Powerful Spanish Empire
 A New Spanish RulerA New Spanish Ruler
– In 1556, Philip II begins ruling Spain and itsIn 1556, Philip II begins ruling Spain and its
possessionspossessions
 Philip II’s EmpirePhilip II’s Empire
– Philip seizes Portugal in 1580Philip seizes Portugal in 1580
– Gold and silver from Americas make SpainGold and silver from Americas make Spain
extremely wealthyextremely wealthy

4. A Powerful Spanish EmpireA Powerful Spanish Empire
 Defender of CatholicismDefender of Catholicism
– Philip defends Catholicism against MuslimsPhilip defends Catholicism against Muslims
and Protestantsand Protestants
– Spanish fleet helps defeat Ottomans atSpanish fleet helps defeat Ottomans at
Lepanto in 1571.Lepanto in 1571.
– Spanish Armada is defeated by the British inSpanish Armada is defeated by the British in
1588.1588.

5. Golden Age of Spanish Art andGolden Age of Spanish Art and
LiteratureLiterature
 El Greco and VelEl Greco and Velázquezázquez
– El Greco uses unusual style to conveyEl Greco uses unusual style to convey
religious themesreligious themes
– Works ofWorks of VelVelázquez show Spanish court lifeázquez show Spanish court life
 Don QuixoteDon Quixote
– In 1605, Don Quixote by Miguel de CervantesIn 1605, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
is publishedis published
– Novel marks the birth of the modern EuropeanNovel marks the birth of the modern European
novel.novel.

6. ““Portrait of an Old Man”Portrait of an Old Man”
 This painting titledThis painting titled
“Portrait of an Old“Portrait of an Old
Man” is considered aMan” is considered a
self portrait by Elself portrait by El
Greco, circa 1595–Greco, circa 1595–
1600, oil on canvas.1600, oil on canvas.

7.  The Assumption of theThe Assumption of the
VirginVirgin (1577–1579, oil on(1577–1579, oil on
canvas, 401 × 228 cm,canvas, 401 × 228 cm,
Art Institute of Chicago)Art Institute of Chicago)
was one of the ninewas one of the nine
paintings El Grecopaintings El Greco
completed for the churchcompleted for the church
of Santo Domingo elof Santo Domingo el
Antiguo in Toledo, his firstAntiguo in Toledo, his first
commission in Spain.commission in Spain.
This shows the religiousThis shows the religious
themes of his painting.themes of his painting.

8. Diego Velázquez: two self portraitsDiego Velázquez: two self portraits

9.  Portrait of Pablo dePortrait of Pablo de
ValladolidValladolid
– A court fool or jester,A court fool or jester,
circa 1635circa 1635

10. The Spanish Empire WeakensThe Spanish Empire Weakens
 Inflation and TaxesInflation and Taxes
– Inflation weakens Spain’s economy.Inflation weakens Spain’s economy.
– Taxes on lower class prevents development of middleTaxes on lower class prevents development of middle
class.class.
 Making Spain’s Enemies RichMaking Spain’s Enemies Rich
– Spaniards buy goods abroad, making Spain’sSpaniards buy goods abroad, making Spain’s
enemies rich.enemies rich.
– Philip declares bankruptcy three times due to weakPhilip declares bankruptcy three times due to weak
economy.economy.
 The Dutch RevoltThe Dutch Revolt
– Protestants in the Netherlands win independenceProtestants in the Netherlands win independence
from Spain in 1579.from Spain in 1579.

11.  "Queen Elizabeth I Feeds the Dutch Cow", a satirical Flemish painting, c. 1586. The cow represents"Queen Elizabeth I Feeds the Dutch Cow", a satirical Flemish painting, c. 1586. The cow represents
the Dutch provinces. King Philip II of Spain is vainly trying to ride the cow, drawing blood with histhe Dutch provinces. King Philip II of Spain is vainly trying to ride the cow, drawing blood with his
spurs. Queen Elizabeth is feeding it while William of Orange holds it steady by the horns. The cow isspurs. Queen Elizabeth is feeding it while William of Orange holds it steady by the horns. The cow is
defecating on the Duke of Anjou, who is holding its tail - a reference to Anjou's fiasco at the "Frenchdefecating on the Duke of Anjou, who is holding its tail - a reference to Anjou's fiasco at the "French
Fury" in Antwerp, three years previouslyFury" in Antwerp, three years previously

12. The Independent Dutch ProsperThe Independent Dutch Prosper
 A Different SocietyA Different Society
– The Netherlands is a republic and practicesThe Netherlands is a republic and practices
religious toleration.religious toleration.
 Dutch ArtDutch Art
– In the 1600s, the Netherlands becomesIn the 1600s, the Netherlands becomes
center of European Artcenter of European Art
– Rembrandt and Vermeer are famous DutchRembrandt and Vermeer are famous Dutch
PaintersPainters

13. RembrandtRembrandt
 Self portraitSelf portrait

14.  Christ in the StormChrist in the Storm
on the Lake ofon the Lake of
GalileeGalilee byby
Rembrandt, circaRembrandt, circa
1633. This original1633. This original
painting was stolenpainting was stolen
in 1990 and wasin 1990 and was
never recovered.never recovered.

15. Paintings by VermeerPaintings by Vermeer
 Vermeer paintedVermeer painted
scenes from everyscenes from every
day life. This paintingday life. This painting
MilkmaidMilkmaid, is circa, is circa
1658-1660.1658-1660.

16. Paintings by VermeerPaintings by Vermeer
 Officer Laughing WithOfficer Laughing With
GirlGirl, is circa 1657-, is circa 1657-
1659.1659.

17. Paintings by VermeerPaintings by Vermeer
 The Little StreetThe Little Street, is, is
circa 1657-1658.circa 1657-1658.

18. The Independent Dutch ProsperThe Independent Dutch Prosper
 Dutch Trading EmpireDutch Trading Empire
– Dutch merchants engage in world tradeDutch merchants engage in world trade
– Dutch have world’s largest trading fleetDutch have world’s largest trading fleet
– Dutch people replace Italians as Europe’sDutch people replace Italians as Europe’s
bankersbankers

19. Absolutism in EuropeAbsolutism in Europe
 The Theory of AbsolutismThe Theory of Absolutism
– Rulers want to be absolute monarchs—rulers with completeRulers want to be absolute monarchs—rulers with complete
powerpower
– Believe in “divine right”—idea that monarchs represent God onBelieve in “divine right”—idea that monarchs represent God on
earth. (The idea can be derived fromearth. (The idea can be derived from Romans 13: 1-4Romans 13: 1-4.).)
 Growing Power of Europe’s MonarchsGrowing Power of Europe’s Monarchs
– Decline of Feudalism, rise of cities help monarchs gain powerDecline of Feudalism, rise of cities help monarchs gain power
– Decline of Church authority also increases powerDecline of Church authority also increases power
 Crises Lead to AbsolutismCrises Lead to Absolutism
– The 17The 17thth
century is a period of great upheavalcentury is a period of great upheaval
– Monarchs impose order by increasing their own power.Monarchs impose order by increasing their own power.

20. Possible Basis ofPossible Basis of
“Divine Right of Kings”“Divine Right of Kings”
Romans 13:1-4Romans 13:1-4
” ”Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and those thatFor there is no authority except from God, and those that
exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoeverexist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever
resists the authorities resists what God has appointed,resists the authorities resists what God has appointed,
and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers areand those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are
not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you havenot a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have
no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what isno fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is
good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’sgood, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s
servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, forservant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for
he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servanthe does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant
of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on theof God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the
wrongdoer.”wrongdoer.”