Absolutism in Spain Siglo del Oro Dutch Revolt and Economic Decline The Paradox of Power

Charles I (V) King of Spain King of Spain Holy Roman Emperor Holy Roman Emperor Duke of Burgundy Duke of Burgundy Fought Suleiman the Magnificent Fought Suleiman the Magnificent Faced Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms Faced Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms Fought the German Princes in the Schmalkaldic League War Fought the German Princes in the Schmalkaldic League War Signed the Peace of Augsburg Signed the Peace of Augsburg

Charles V’s European Domains

Philip II’s Family Tree Ferdinand and Isabella (Aragon) m. (Castille) Mary and Maximillian (Burgundy) m (Austria) Juana la Loca Philip Duke of Burgundy Charles V

Philip II ( ) Inherited the “best half”: Spain, Spanish Netherlands, New World Inherited the “best half”: Spain, Spanish Netherlands, New World Inherited his father’s wars against non-Catholics Inherited his father’s wars against non-Catholics Seized Portuguese domains in 1580: India, African holdings, East Indies Seized Portuguese domains in 1580: India, African holdings, East Indies Gold and silver from New World Gold and silver from New World Standing army of 50,000 Standing army of 50,000

Philip’s Palace : the Escorial

Palace as Metaphor: Church, Grill and Mausoleum

Philip’s Religious Wars Reconquista: Phase II of a Policy of Religious Uniformity Reconquista: Phase II of a Policy of Religious Uniformity 1566 the prince of the region (Philip II) tries to choose the religion (Catholicism) for his region (Spanish Netherlands) and ends with rebellion 1566 the prince of the region (Philip II) tries to choose the religion (Catholicism) for his region (Spanish Netherlands) and ends with rebellion 1571 Battle of Lepanto: Wins the Battle against Selim II but loses the war for Mediterranean dominance 1571 Battle of Lepanto: Wins the Battle against Selim II but loses the war for Mediterranean dominance 1588 Spanish Armada launched against England’s heretic queen 1588 Spanish Armada launched against England’s heretic queen

The Siglo del Oro: Spanish Renaissance El Greco ( ) El Greco ( ) Velasquez ( ) Velasquez ( ) Miguel de Cervantes ( ) Miguel de Cervantes ( )

El Greco’s Master Works View of Toledo Burial of the Count of Orgaz 1586

Velasquez’s Las Meñinas (1656)

Economic Problems in Spain’s Century of Gold Gold and silver influx causes inflation Gold and silver influx causes inflation Merchants raise prices with population growth Merchants raise prices with population growth Expulsion of Jewish and Moorish populations (1492) robbed Spain of her artisan and business (middle) class Expulsion of Jewish and Moorish populations (1492) robbed Spain of her artisan and business (middle) class Nobles pay no taxes Nobles pay no taxes Tax burden significant to maintain standing army constantly at war Tax burden significant to maintain standing army constantly at war Philip declares bankruptcy three times Philip declares bankruptcy three times

What’s the Commercial Revolution Got to Do With It? Capitalism bypasses Spain (due in part to its lack of a middle class) Capitalism bypasses Spain (due in part to its lack of a middle class) Capitalism is the source of enormous wealth both for the merchant class and the governments who encourage them with mercantilist policies Capitalism is the source of enormous wealth both for the merchant class and the governments who encourage them with mercantilist policies Philip too busy fighting his father’s battles, a medieval man caught in a changing world that he does not understand Philip too busy fighting his father’s battles, a medieval man caught in a changing world that he does not understand Spain fails to use its wealth to create more wealth (instead purchases goods from abroad – balance of trade problems) Spain fails to use its wealth to create more wealth (instead purchases goods from abroad – balance of trade problems) Spain fails to modernize its production methods (guilds instead of cottage industry) Spain fails to modernize its production methods (guilds instead of cottage industry)

From Spanish Netherlands to Dutch Republic Philip’s policies on taxes and religion spark revolt Philip’s policies on taxes and religion spark revolt Mob stampedes Catholic churches Mob stampedes Catholic churches Duke of Alva sent by Philip to quell the violence Duke of Alva sent by Philip to quell the violence

Bruegel’s Massacre of the Innocents

William of Orange (the Silent) Leader of the Dutch Revolt Called “Father of the fatherland” Dutch national anthem written for him October 3 still celebrated as the end of the year long siege of Leiden with bread and herring 1579 seven northern provinces declare their independence Ten southern provinces remain part of Spain

United Provinces of the Netherlands Policy of religious toleration Policy of religious toleration Not a kingdom but a republic of merchants and landholders Not a kingdom but a republic of merchants and landholders Main focus – economic growth Main focus – economic growth Poor in natural resources, they become the carriers for Europe Poor in natural resources, they become the carriers for Europe Largest fleet of ships in the world Largest fleet of ships in the world Bank of Amsterdam becomes the bank for Europe (Atlantic replaces Mediterranean) Bank of Amsterdam becomes the bank for Europe (Atlantic replaces Mediterranean)

Portraits of a Successful Middle Class Rembrandt, Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholas Tulp (1632)

Protecting an Urban Culture Rembrandt. The Night Watch, 1642

Vermeer’s Window onto the World of the Dutch Woman in Blue Reading a Letter (1662 – 1664) The Geographer (1689)

Woman Holding A Balance

Details Juxtaposing the Old and New Madonna-like portrait The benefits of the Commercial Revolution