1) King Charles I of Spain (Emperor Charles V) struggled to control his vast empire, which included Spain, the Netherlands, and colonies in the Americas. He faced resistance from Protestant movements and financial problems from constant warfare. 2) During the 1500s, Spain experienced a golden age of art and literature under King Philip II. Notable Spanish artists included El Greco and Velázquez, and writers included Cervantes. 3) Spain declined as a major power under Philip II due to a Dutch revolt, defeat by the English navy against the Spanish Armada, and internal economic problems as the empire spent wealth on warfare.

1. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1

2. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Preview
• Starting Points Map: Monarchs of Europe
• Main Idea / Reading Focus
• The King Becomes Emperor
• Artistic Achievements
• Spain under Philip II
The Power of Spain

3. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
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4. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Reading Focus
• What challenges did King Charles I face when he became
Emperor Charles V?
• What were some artistic achievements of Spain’s golden age?
• How did Spain rise and then decline under Philip II?
Main Idea
1. Spain experienced a golden age during the 1500s, but
economic problems and military struggles decreased Spanish
power by the 1600s.
The Power of Spain

5. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• Absolute monarchs believed
they ruled by divine right
• Monarchs received power from
God, must not be challenged
• 1500 through 1700s, absolute
monarchs tried to impose their
will across much of Europe,
lands beyond
• In Spain, Charles struggled to
keep empire under control
Imposing Their Will
• 1516, teenaged Charles
became King Charles I of Spain
• Inexperienced, but had one
kingly trait—as member of
ancient, powerful Hapsburg
family, prepared to rule as
absolute monarch
• Absolute monarch, ruler whose
power not limited by having to
consult with nobles, common
people or their representatives
Kingly Trait
The King Becomes Emperor

6. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
When Charles became king of Spain, he inherited the Low Countries
of Belgium and the Netherlands, along with colonies in the Americas.
• 1519, throne of Holy Roman
Empire became vacant
• Position elective; Charles
borrowed money to buy votes
• Became Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V
– Holdings expanded to parts of
Italy, Austria, various German
states
– So vast ‘the sun never set”
over it
Emperor Charles V
• Ruling vast territories not easy
task for Charles
• Faced enemies on all sides—
Ottoman Turks, French,
rebellious German princes
• Also fought for religious
control over Europe
• Wanted Europe to be Roman
Catholic
• Growing Protestant movement
threatened influence
Enemies Everywhere
Charles V and the Empire

7. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Peace
• Agreement gave each German prince right to decide if his state
would be Catholic or Protestant
• Charles’ vision of a Catholic Europe never became reality
• Constant warfare also brought Charles to brink of bankruptcy
Confrontation
• 1521, Charles confronted Protestant leader Martin Luther directly
• In spite of Charles’ efforts, Protestants gained influence
• Rebellions against Catholic rulers spread
• After years of warfare, Charles V had to sign Peace of Augsburg

8. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Success in Americas
Charles V more successful in Americas than in
Europe
• During reign, Spanish explorers claimed much of
Americas for Spain
• Among explorers King Charles supported
– Hernán Cortés, who conquered Aztec empire
– Francisco de Coronado, who explored American Southwest
region
• Silver and gold flowed from American colonies
• Brought Spain fabulous wealth

9. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• Brother took over
Hapsburg holdings in
Austria
• Son, Philip II, ruled
Netherlands, Spain, Sicily,
Spain’s colonies
• Charles V moved to
monastery, dream of
unified empire unfulfilled
Imposing Their Will
• Frustrated by failures in
Europe
• 1556, Charles V gave up
thrones
• Decided to divide large
empire
• Split between his brother
and his son
Relinquished Thrones
Dividing the Empire

10. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Draw Conclusions
In what ways was Charles V successful as
an emperor? In what ways was he
unsuccessful?
Answer(s): successful—exploration of the
Americas, which brought fabulous wealth to
Spain; unsuccessful—did not maintain religious
control over Europe; constant wars brought
financial problems

11. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• 2. From 1550 to 1650, Spanish golden age of artistic achievement
• Became known as the Golden Century
• One of most prominent
painters, Greek Domenicos
Theotocopoulos
• Became known as El Greco;
style famous for elongated
figures
• Much work religious, reflected
Spain’s central role in Counter-
Reformation
Art
• Another Spanish painter,
Diego Velázquez
• Created masterpieces
portraying people of all social
classes with great dignity
• Velázquez had privilege of
being the court painter
Court Painter
Artistic Achievements

12. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Writers
• Spanish golden age also
produced fine writers
• Greatest was Miguel de
Cervantes
Colonial Writers
• Writers in Spain’s colonies
produced works of merit
• Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz
wrote poetry, prose, plays
Cervantes
• Most famous work, Don Quixote
de la Mancha
• About man caught between
medieval, modern worlds
Church Criticism
• Church officials criticized Sister
Juana for some of her ideas
• She believed women had right
to education
Literature

13. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Summarize
What were some achievements of Spain’s
Golden Century?
Answer(s): paintings by El Greco and Velásquez,
writings by Miguel de Cervantes and Juana Ines
de la Cruz

14. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• 3. Spain at peak of grandeur with reign of Philip II
• One reason—stream of gold and silver from colonies in Americas
• With wealth came power—but gold could not solve Spain’s problems
• King Philip II devout
Catholic
• Saw himself as leader
of Counter-
Reformation
• Marriage to Queen
Mary I of England
chance to spread
Catholicism
Religion and Revolt
• Mary died before
having heir to return
England to Catholic
faith
• Philip also wanted to
secure position of
Catholicism in
European territories
Catholicism in
Territories
• Philip’s faith clashed
with Calvinist
Protestantism of
northern Low Country
provinces
• 1560s, bloody revolt
began
Revolt in the Low
Countries
Spain under Philip II

15. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Dutch Revolt
Dutch refused to declare allegiance to Philip
• To punish, Philip sent army under command of Duke
of Alba
• Alba set up court
– Known locally as Court of Blood
– Tortured, executed thousands suspected of being rebels
– Cruelties made situation worse; rebellion broke out anew
• Revolt dragged on for decades
• 1609, truce reached
• Seven northern provinces formed independent
nation, the Netherlands
• Southern provinces remained in Spanish hands

16. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
English Aid to Dutch
• Dutch revolt deepened another rivalry, between Spain, England
• As fellow Protestants, England sent aid to Dutch rebels
• England’s assistance to Dutch infuriated Philip
Invasion Planned
• King Philip II wanted to stop England from raiding ships, return England to
Catholic Church
• Decided to invade England
Attacks on Spanish Ships
• Philip also worried about English attacks on his ships
• England’s Queen Elizabeth I allowed ship captains to attack Spanish
treasure ships, steal gold, silver for England
Spain and England

17. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• Philip ordered navy to assemble great fleet, the Spanish Armada
• Totaled about 130 ships, 20,000 soldiers, sailors
• 1588, invincible fleet sailed into English channel
• Queen Elizabeth I rallied troops and prepared for attack
• Spanish packed ships with
soldiers for land invasion
• Also planned to be joined by
Spanish forces in Netherlands
• Faced fierce naval battles that
severely damaged fleet
Naval Battles
• English aimed eight fire ships at
remaining ships of Armada
• Spanish ships fled in panic,
disarray
• As damaged ships made way
home, several were wrecked
Armada Not Invincible
Philip’s Armada

18. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Relying on traditional agricultural economy, Spain’s economy lagged
behind that of other countries. Spain declined as a major power.
• The defeat of the Armada was not the end for Spain, which
recovered from the loss.
• But England remained Protestant, defiant, and undefeated.
• Spain’s real problems internal
• Philip’s government centralized
• He trusted no one
• Court riddled by factions,
suspicion
• Government action practically
came to standstill
Internal Problems
An Empire in Decline
• Philip spent wealth from
Americas on constant warfare
• Borrowed money often; went
bankrupt four times
• Prices driven up, inflation
• Spain did not develop industries
Americans Join the Battle

19. The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Recall
What were two events that caused problems
for Spain?
Answer(s): revolt in the Netherlands; defeat of
the Spanish Armada