The Hispanic Monarchy: A History of Spain
The Hispanic Monarchy
The Catholic Monarchs
The wedding of the Catholic Monarchs led to the dynastic union of Aragon and Castile, but not a political one.
- It strengthened the power of the state.
- Aiming to achieve religious unity, they created the Inquisition and expelled the Jews and the Mudejar.
- In foreign policy, their three objectives were:
- Extending the territory of the monarchy
- Expansion into the Atlantic and the Mediterranean
- Confrontation with France.
The Habsburgs (Los Austrias Mayores)
Charles V (1516-1556)
- Their possessions were a conglomerate of territories united only by the monarch.
- In Spain, the main problems were the revolts of the Comunidades and GermanÃas.
- In international politics, key events include the confrontation with France, the struggle with the Ottoman Turks, and the outbreak of the Protestant Reformation in the Empire.
Philip II (1556-1598)
- During his reign, there was a complete Hispanization of the monarchy.
- Their main internal problems were the revolt of the Alpujarras, the alterations of Aragon, and the crisis of the Treasury.
- In broad international politics, the monarchy incorporated Portugal. On the negative side, the rebellion of Flanders and the clash with England stand out.
The Lesser Habsburgs (Los Austrias Menores)
Philip III (1598-1621)
- Effective governance was in the hands of a prime minister, the Duke of Lerma.
- Internally, the financial crisis and the expulsion of the Moors (1609) are highlighted.
- In domestic politics, appeasement was sought with England and the United Provinces.
Philip IV (1621-1665)
- His chief minister was the Count-Duke of Olivares.
- In international politics, there were two phases:
- 1621-1643: An aggressive foreign policy with involvement in the Thirty Years’ War and war with the United Provinces.
- Since 1643 (Battle of Rocroi), a withdrawal began.
- In domestic politics, the reign was very problematic:
- Continuing financial problems due to Castile’s inability to cover international politics.
- The Olivares reforms led to the revolt of Catalonia and Portugal in 1640, causing a deep crisis.
Charles II (1665-1700)
- He was a king with a sickly and weak personality, always controlled by his advisors.
- During his reign, social crises occurred (Second GermanÃa) while clashes with France continued.
- The most serious problem was the succession crisis, as the king had no heirs. He ruled in favor of the Frenchman Philip of Anjou.
Economy and Society in the 16th and 17th Centuries
Demographic Trends
During the sixteenth century, the population grew, albeit unevenly. Castilian dominance continued.
In the seventeenth century, a deep demographic crisis occurred due to various causes: plague epidemics, food crises, expulsion of the Moors, and so on.
Economic Trends
During the sixteenth century, there was a huge expansion in Castile and a restrained one in the Crown of Aragon.
In the seventeenth century, there was a general and deep crisis in the first half. Catalonia and Valencia started to recover since the 1650s, but Castile did not begin to improve until 1680.
Stratified Society
- Nobility: It was a minority with great political and economic power, although there were internal differences between high, medium, and low nobility.
- Clergy: It also had great power and wealth. A distinction can be made between high and low clergy.
- Commoners: Encompassing all non-privileged individuals. Great domestic economic differences existed.