Royal Powers and Conflict

Europe 1500 and 1600’s philosophy of rule by ABSOLUTISM Form of gov’t with unlimited power Held by 1 person or a group Divine Right-King or Queen rule derived absolute or complete authority to govern directly from God and God was responsible for his/her actions

Spain Philip II (Hapsburgs) Ruled from Most powerful monarch in all of Spanish History Devout Catholic-went to great efforts to end Protestantism Son of Charles V(HRE) and Isabella of Portugal

Philip II Built a granite palace called El Escorial Served as a royal court, gallery, monastery, and tomb for Spanish royalty

Philip II Known as the “Prudent King” Was cautious, hardworking, and suspicious of others Spent most of his time reading and responding to hundreds of documents He made all decisions and signed all papers

Unrest in Spain Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile unite Spain-but no central gov’t (separate laws) Phillip II-continues this but makes Castile the dominant gov’t By 1500’s Castile has: Largest Territory, Largest Population, Greatest Wealth

Castile Castile becomes the center of Spain and the Empire Madrid is located in Castile—becomes capital Seville-Castilian city controlled trade and the overseas empire 1590’s Aragon revolts--defeated

Religious Policies Concerned w/large populations of religious minorities – Protestants – Morranos-Jews who converted to Christianity – Moriscos-Muslims who converted to Christianity Phillip II supported the Inquisition efforts to -eliminate heresies -He attended many of the Public Sentencing's (Autos da fe) followed by execution (Protestantism never took hold in Spain because of the Inquisition)

1567—Philip II imposes Catholicism on the Netherlands – Dutch rebel – Conflict is bloody, long, and complex 1581—Dutch declare their independence—fighting continues --English support the Dutch --English begin to raid Spanish ships (Privateers)

Spanish Armada Philip supported Elizabeth I early in her reign until the English helped the Dutch 1586– Philip plans to invade England May 30, 1588 – 130 Spanish Ships – 33,000 men – Set sail for England

Late July enter the English Channel in crescent formation English have faster ships and longer range cannons Yet they are unable to block the Spanish

A Stormy Sea Saves the English 40 Spanish ships sink in the Irish Sea They were circling Great Britain 15,000 soldiers were killed Spain is defeated

Last of the Spanish Hapsburgs Defeat of the Armada—Beginning of decline Costly war drained the treasury—had to borrow from foreign banks Spanish economy suffered—inflation—sharp rise in prices w/ an increase in currency Industry and agriculture decreased

Philip III and Philip IV Son and Grandson Lacked intelligence and interest in politics Gov’t nobles ran the affairs of State Mismanagement and corruption Built extravagant homes--Royals

Decline of Spain War w/ Dutch renewed under Philip IV Conflicts w/ Germany Overburdened and taxed citizens Rebellion by citizens—Portugal a part of Spain since 1580 rebels—struggle until 1668 for Independence Philip IV son—Charles II is the last Spanish Hapsburg

Charles II Became King 1665 at the age of 4 Ruled under the regency of his mother He was physically and mentally weak He does marry but has no children—no heirs to the throne other European monarchs plot to control Spain

England Tudor Dynasty

The Tudors Bring unity to the country Henry VII – 1 st Tudor-War of the Roses – Help rebuild commercial prosperity – Encouraged foreign trade – Improved the method of tax collection – Avoided war through diplomacy – Used marriage to increase English strength in Europe

Henry VIII Most powerful of all Tudor monarchs Fought wars in Europe Made England a great Naval power In pursuit of a make heir—married 6 x’s Broke from Catholicism w/Parliaments approval

Edward VI Son of Henry VIII 9 yrs old when he took the crown Was sickly Dies in 1552 at the age of 15

Mary I Daughter of Henry VIII Catholic English people support her claim to the throne Reestablishes Catholic policies married Philip II of Spain in 1554 Kills 300 Protestants—burned at the stake— heresy (Bloody Mary)

Went to war with France—English lose its final foothold in France (Port Calais) English fear Spain will control them She dies childless Throne then goes to

Elizabeth I

Daughter of Henry VIII Becomes Queen in 1558—Age of 25 Highly educated and shrewd—forceful personality sharp tongue and asserted her iron will Often fought with Parliament Subjects were loyal to her—believed her honest and good

Great cultural period during her reign— Shakespeare Never married—saw that a “foreign prince” like Philip II was bad for England And an English prince would cause jealousy among the English nobility Did not want to share power

Court and Government Elizabeth was assisted by a Council of Nobles They drafted proclamations Handled foreign affairs Administration of justice Regulation of PX’s and wages

Parliament Did not have the power to initiate legislation Could plead, argue and hold approval Had influence especially to tax laws

Justice of the Peace Enforced the Queen’s law—where unpaid respected community members Most belonged to rural land owning classes Collected taxes Kept Gov’t informed of local problems

Social and Economic Policy Elizabeth believed in the importance of social rank Rank – Queen and court – Prominent nobles and great landed families – Gentry: lesser nobles, merchants, lawyers, and clergy – Yeomen: farmers, small landholders, laborers

The Statute of Apprentices of 1563 Declared work to be a moral duty Required to live and work where they were born Controlled the movement of labor, wages and regulated apprenticeships

The Poor Laws of 1597 & 1601 Made local areas responsible for the homeless and unemployed Means to raise money for charities Provide work for vagabonds

Elizabeth I Inherited a monarchy that was badly in debt She spent lavishly on court ceremonies But was known as a “pinchpenny” She sold official royal land, offices and licenses, monopolies, and the rights to collect customs She was forced to turn to Parliament for taxes due to inflation and wars When she ended her reign—England remained badly in debt

Foreign Policy By Elizabeth’s time, England had lost all of its possessions on the European Continent France was too powerful to defeat For security relied on the English Channel for protection Built and maintained a strong Navy Feared an alliance between Spain & France used diplomats to protect their interests

Balance of Power Work to maintain equal power throughout Europe One nation becomes too powerful then a third nation can balance it E.g.. England & Spain feared France— cooperated w/each other to balance France – Keep France out of the Netherlands – Later England supported the Dutch vs. Spain

Scotland and Ireland 1550’s Scotland is largely Catholic— resisted English rule Ireland resisted English rule also

1560’s Elizabeth feared Scotland and Ireland would ally with Spain and attack England Elizabeth was successful in converting Scotland to Protestantism—now an ally of England

Mary Queen of Scots Death Mask Madam Trousseaus Wax Museum

Mary Stuart Elizabeth’s Catholic cousin Forced to abdicate her position as Queen of Scotland in1567 She fled to England-she is also an heir to the throne of England Protestants feared that she could replace Elizabeth I In 1587 Elizabeth agreed to execute Mary-she is hesitant to execute another monarch

In 1590’s England carried out military campaigns in Ireland to conquer the Irish

The Virgin Queen 1609 Elizabeth dies— age 69—end of the Tudor Dynasty Death Mask

King James VI of Scotland Son of Mary Queen of Scots (Stuart) Becomes King James I of England Ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland