Spain’s Golden Age: Habsburgs, Economy, and Culture (16th Century)
The Empire of Charles V
Charles I (1516-1556), eldest son of Philip of Habsburg and Joanna, heiress of the Catholic Monarchs, was proclaimed king in Brussels after his grandfather’s death. He inherited the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, facing challenges such as:
- High vulnerability due to widely scattered territories.
- Difficulty unifying laws across diverse territories with unique institutions.
Internal conflicts:
- Comuneros Revolt: Opposition to foreign policy and the emperor’s influence. Demands included Charles’ return to Spain, exclusion of foreigners from office, enhanced role of the courts, and control over wool trade. Defeated at the Battle of Villalar (1521), leaders Padilla, Bravo, and Maldonado were executed.
- Germania Revolt: Occurred in Valencia, Murcia, and Mallorca (1519-20). Anti-seigneurial revolt involving bourgeois, artisans, and nobility.
Habsburg Political Model: Union of Kingdoms
Decentralized monarchy under the Crown of Castile. The Habsburgs developed a polysynodial system with various councils:
- Council of State: Created by Charles I, comprising representatives from different kingdoms, overseeing foreign policy, peace, and major state issues, presided over by the king.
- Territorial Councils: Focused on specific kingdom matters, with specialized roles (e.g., Inquisition, military orders, finance).
Territorial Administration:
- Viceroys: Represented the monarch in non-Castilian territories.
- Cortes: Maintained late medieval structure and functions.
- Audiencias: Served as higher courts in their respective territories.
Local government saw the sale of municipal offices and villazgo privileges.
Economy and Society in 16th Century Spain
American expansion brought wealth but also missed opportunities. The 16th century saw economic expansion due to population growth and increased money supply from American gold and silver, leading to price revolution.
Economic failures resulted from:
- Costs of ongoing wars.
- Conservative, anti-bourgeois mentality.
- Industrial superiority of the Netherlands, England, and France.
Social structure remained class-based, with nobility’s preeminence. Hidalgos (nobles without fortune) held higher social value than commoners. Taxpayers (80% farmers and urban population) faced challenges, including marginalized Moorish and Jewish converts.
Culture and Attitudes: The Inquisition
Humanist spirit influenced Spain during Charles I’s reign, with figures like Erasmus of Rotterdam, Juan and Alfonso de Valdés, and Juan Luis Vives. Humanism spread through universities, impacting theology, law, and economic policy (e.g., Francisco de Vitoria and Francisco Suárez).
Charles I and Philip II championed uncompromising Catholicism, leading to the Counter-Reformation. The Inquisition became the main instrument of religious control, suppressing Protestant communities and restricting intellectual freedom.
The Renaissance, originating in Italy, reached Spain in the 16th century, fostering a creative drive in literature and arts, marking the beginning of the Golden Age.