The Spanish Monarchy: From Ferdinand and Isabella to the Habsburgs
The Rise of the Spanish Monarchy
The Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella
The Conquest of Granada
The conquest of Granada was a pivotal moment in the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. It solidified their power in Castile, secured their position against the nobility, and significantly developed the Castilian military and fiscal systems. This war, a joint effort between Castile and Aragon, marked a crucial step in the formation of the modern Castilian state. The victory also allowed the monarchy to focus on other foreign policy matters, such as the Turkish threat in the Mediterranean and their rivalry with France.
The Discovery of America
Throughout the 15th century, Portugal and Castile sought to reach the East Indies by sea. In this context, Christopher Columbus proposed reaching the Indies by sailing west. Queen Isabella supported Columbus’s proposal, hoping to establish direct trade with the East. After signing an agreement with the monarchs, Columbus set sail and reached the Americas in 1492, mistakenly believing he had arrived in the Indies. Amerigo Vespucci later recognized that Columbus had discovered a new continent, which was subsequently named America in his honor.
The Habsburg Dynasty
The Habsburg Minor Kings
Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II, known as the Habsburg minor kings, were characterized by their weakness and reliance on royal favorites, called validos. The Duke of Lerma (Philip III’s favorite) and the Count-Duke of Olivares (Philip IV’s favorite) were the primary political figures of the era, making crucial decisions that impacted the monarchy. These decisions included the expulsion of the Moriscos in 1609-1610 and Spain’s entry into the Thirty Years’ War.
Crisis and Decline
In 1640, revolts erupted in Catalonia and Portugal. Portugal declared independence, recognizing the Duke of Braganza as king, while Catalonia rebelled against increased political control and financial burdens imposed by Olivares. The Portuguese revolt resulted in Portugal’s secession from the Spanish Crown, while the Catalan revolt was eventually suppressed. The economic crisis that ensued affected different regions of Spain unevenly. The Mediterranean coast suffered due to wars and the expulsion of the Moriscos, while the plateau experienced a more severe decline. Institutions were also impacted, with corruption and the sale of public offices becoming increasingly common. However, the last decades of the 17th century saw the beginnings of economic recovery.