The Monarchs of EuropeChapter 17 Section 1MAIN IDEA:Spain experienced a golden age in the 1500s, but economic problems andmilitary struggles decreased Spanish power by the 1600sKey Terms and Peopleabsolute monarch ruler whose power was not limited by having to consult with anyonebefore making decisionsdivine right the belief that monarchs received their power directly from GodCharles V member of the Hapsburg family, king of Spain, and Holy Roman EmperorPeace of Augsburg treaty signed by Charles in 1555, which gave each German princethe right to decide whether his state would be Catholic or ProtestantPhilip II son of Charles I, king of the Netherlands, Spain, Sicily, and Spain’sAmerican coloniesEl Greco Greek painter who often painted religious subjectsDiego Velázquez Spanish painter whose impressionistic style influenced other artistsMiguel de Cervantes Spanish author of Don Quixote de la ManchaSister Juana Ines de la Cruz Mexican nun who wrote poetry, prose, and playsSpanish Armada Spain’s fleet of about 130 ships and over 20,000 soldiersSection SummaryTHE KING BECOMES EMPERORIn 1516, a member of the powerful Hapsburg family became King Charles I of Spain. Like many other European rulers from 1500 through the 1700s, Charleswas an absolute monarch—a ruler whose power was not limited by having to consult with anyone before making decisions. These rulers believed that theyruled by divine right, meaning that their power came from God. Charles also ruled Belgium and the Netherlands, and in 1519 he decided he wanted to be Holy Roman Emperor. This position was elected, so he paid people for their votes. He became Holy Roman Emperor as Charles V. Now, he held an even larger empire, including Spain, parts of Italy, Austria, the Germanstates, and colonies in the Americas. Charles also had enemies: Ottoman Turks, the French, and rebellious German princes. He fought, unsuccessfully, to keepEurope Catholic. After years of devastating war, Charles signed the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. It gave German princes the right to decide whether theirstates would be Catholic or Protestant.At the same time, Spanish explorers like Cortés and Coronado were conquering vast areas in the Americas. This would eventually bring Spain great wealth. In 1556, Charles stepped down from his thrones, frustrated by his failures in Europe. His brother took over the Hapsburg holdings in Austria, while his son,Philip II, became king of Spain, the Netherlands, Sicily, and the colonies in the Americas.ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTSThe mid-1500s to the mid-1600s is known as the Golden Age of Spanish art, a time when Spanish artists were influential across Europe. The work of the Greek painter El Greco was mostly religious, and reflected Spain’s central role in the Counter-Reformation. The Spanish painter Diego Velázquez painted masterpieces portraying people of all social classes. Miguel de Cervantes was a famous writer who wrote the masterpiece Don Quixote de la Mancha. Mexican nun Sister Juana Ines de las Cruz wrote poetry, prose, and plays.SPAIN UNDER PHILIP IIThe Spanish empire reached its peak under Philip II. The American colonies sent gold and silver home, making Spain very rich and powerful. However, money could not solve Spain’s problems.Philip II was a devout Catholic and leader of the Counter-Reformation. He saw a chance to spread Catholicism when he married Queen Mary I of England, who was also Catholic. She died, though, before she could give birth to an heir who could have returned England to the Catholic faith. Philip also wanted to secure the position of Catholicism in his European territories. But his faith clashed with the Calvinist Protestantism that was spreading through the northern provinces of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. A bloody revolt began in the 1560s when the Dutch refused to declare allegiance to Philip. The revolt dragged on for decades, until a truce was reached in 1609. The seven northern provinces formed the independent nation of the Netherlands, while thesouthern provinces remained in Spanish hands. Conflict between Spain and England grew in the 1500s. England supported the Dutch rebels and Elizabeth I allowed her ship captains to attack Spanish ships returning from the colonies with treasure. Philip decided to invade England, both to stop the raids and to return Catholicism to England. He built the Spanish Armada, a fleet of about 130 ships and 20,000 soldiers. In 1588, they sailed into the English Channel. Philip thought they could not be defeated. Instead, a series of accidents followed by English attacks scattered the Armada, sinking some ships and damaging others. When the remaining ships left in defeat, many of them were sunk in a storm.The defeat of the Armada symbolized both Spain’s decline and England’s rise in power. But there were other reasons for Spain’s decline. The king managed his government poorly and spent the wealth from the Americas on constant warfare. Also, Spain did not develop industries, and its economy lagged behind that of other countries.Taking NotesSpain’s strengths and weaknesses during the 1500s and 1600s.Strengths: Spain’s kings also rule many other parts of Europe; wealth from American colonies; military strengthened; Spanish Inquisition widespread; artists and writers influential in EuropeWeaknesses: Charles forced to sign Peace of Augsburg; Dutch revolt against Spain’s rule; Spanish Armada defeated; economic problems from poor management, famine, and plague Lets answer the following questions:How did Charles I of Spain become Holy Roman Emperor Charles V? He paid people for their votes in order to get himself elected to the position.Why do you think Charles divided his empire between his brother and his son? He knew how hard it was to rule such a large number of separate states single-handedly. He wanted to avoid favoring his brother or his son.What was the Golden Age of Spanish art? The mid-1500s to the mid-1600s is known as the Golden Age of Spanish art, a time when Spanish artists were influential across EuropeWhy did the Dutch revolt in the 1560s ? What was the outcome of the revolt? A bloody revolt began in the 1560s when the Dutch refused to declare allegiance to Philip. The revolt dragged on for decades, until a truce was reached in 1609. The seven northern provinces formed the independent nation of the Netherlands, while the southern provinces remained in Spanish hands.What are the reasons for Spain's decline in power? Defeat of the Armada, poor government management, money from the Americas on constant warfare, Spain did not develop industries, and its economy lagged behind that of other countries.