1. Spanish Absolutism
1500s – 1700s

2. Spain 1500s – Ferdinand & Isabella
Ruled Spain & colonies in Americas
1519 – Grandson  Charles I takes crown (changes name to Charles V)
Ruled the Hapsburg Empire
Holy Roman Empire, Netherlands, & American Colonies
Fought against Protestantism in Germany & Islam w/ Ottoman Empire (what religion was Spain?)
Gave up his reign in 1556 & passed on part of empire to his brother, Ferdinand, & his son Philip II

3. Spain Phillip II Expanded power & Catholicism Made his power absolute
Silver discovered in American colonies helped this
Claimed divine right (what’s this mean?)
Inquisition against Protestants (what’s inquisition?)
His control of Netherlands was tested in 1560s
Attempted to push out Protestants
High taxes
Led to riots
Northern Netherlands broke off & became independent (Dutch Netherlands)

4. Spain
Spain vs. England
As we know Queen Elizabeth I established England as a Protestant country (think back to Reformation)
She supported Dutch revolt
1588 Spanish armada sailed
130 ships
20,000 men
2,400 artillery
Spanish attempts to subdue England failed b/c fleet was too strong

5. Spain The decline of Absolutionism in Spain 1600s
Successors not as strong of rulers
Costs of overseas wars
Farming & trade declined as Spain became engulfed in amassing silver from Americas (why is this problematic?)
Heavy taxes on middle class (problem?)
Removing Muslims & Jews from Spain meant removing skilled artisans, merchants, etc.
Large amount of gold & silver led to inflation (what’s inflation? Why is it a problem?)