Spanish Royalty: The Hapsburgs


Figure 1.--.

Spain as a result of the Reconqista, the most accomplished military power in Europe. With the influx of gold and silver from its American colonies, Spain with its army and navy a country of enormous military power. Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian's son Philip I married Princess Juanna daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Castille and Aragon, the first Christian rulars of a united Spain in 7 centuries. Philip became king when they died in 1504, the first Spanish Hapsburg. Emperor Charles V (King Charles I of Spain) was the son of Philip I. He thus inherited Spain and its wealthy overseas empire, parts of Italy (Naples, Sicily. Sardinia, Milan, Mantua, Parma, and Piacenza), the Netherlands, parts of France (Burgandy and Franche-Comté), and the Habsburg German and Austrian possessions. The Hapsburg domains were the super power of the era. The Hapsburgs dominated Continental Europe, surronding Burobon France and soon to threaten England. Vast quantities of gold and silver from the American possessions flowed into the Hapsburg coffers which combuined with their extensive possessions gave them enormous power. Philip II with his decission to send the Armada against England waisted vast amounts of wealth. The gold and silver from the Americas proved in the end a curse. (Not unlike many modern oil producing countries.) Arab Spanish manufacture suffered as it was easier to ourchase rather than make products. In addition the religious persucutioin led by Holy Office of the Inquisition which expelled the Jews acted to supress though as well. Thus Spain did not share in the European Renaisance which was in the 18th century to lead to the Industrial Revolution. The Spanish Hapsburg line ended in 1700 and led to the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Under the Peace of Utrecht (1713) and the treaty of Rastatt (1714), Spain shifted from a Hapsburg to a French Bourbon possession. In conpensation, the Austrian branch of the family obtained Spain's Italian possessions (except for Sicily) and also the southern Netherlands.

16th Century Spain

Spain as a result of the Reconquista, the most accomplished military power in Europe. With the influx of gold and silver from its American colonies, Spain with its army and navy a country of enormous military power. Until the 15th Century there had been no Spain. Rather Spain was divided into separate kingdoms. By the 15th century Castille and Aragon were the two most important kingdomes and the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in effect united the two crowns.

Philip I (1504)

Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian's son Philip I married the Infanta (Princess) Juanna daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Castille and Aragon, the first Christian rulars of a united Spain in 7 centuries. Philip became king when Isabella died (1504), the first Spanish Hapsburg. He essentially seized control of Castille from Ferdinand. After only 2 years, however, Philip unexpectedly died (1506), contributing to his wife's unbalanced state. Ferdinand was ablr to seize control of Castille and thus of all of Spain. He ruled Castille in the name of Juanna and her son Charles who was raised in Flanders.

Juanna/Ferdinand (1504-16)

Castille has a traditin of female rule. Indeed Isabella s one of the greatest Spanish monarchs. At the time that Isabellaied (1504), Spain was not yet a nited country. Thus Castille recognized Philip I king od Spain as he was maried to Juanna. Philip seized control of Castille from his father-in-law, King Ferdinand of Aragon. When Philip died unexpectedly, Junanna was recognized as rightful queen, but because of her variable mental state she was confined in not very pleasant circumstances and Ferdinand resumed control of Castille ad thus Spain until his death (1516). He ruled in the name of Juanna and her infant son Charles.

Charles I (1516-56)

Emperor Charles V (King Charles I of Spain) was the son of Philip I. He thus inherited Spain and its wealthy overseas empire, parts of Italy (Naples, Sicily. Sardinia, Milan, Mantua, Parma, and Piacenza), the Netherlands, parts of France (Burgandy and Franche-Comté), and the Habsburg German and Austrian possessions. The Hapsburg domains dominated Continental Europe, surronding Burobon France and soon to threaten England. Vast quantities of gold and silver from the American possessions flowed into the Hapsburg coffers which combuined with their extensive possessions gave them enormous power.

Philip II (1556-95)

Philip II was the son of Emperor Charles V. He was a fervent Catholic and set out to destroy Protestantism. He fought the Protestants in both the Netherlands and France. He married Quen Mary of England in an effort to end Protestantism in England. After Mary died without issue he left Englnd. With his decission to send the Armada against England and Protestabt Queen Elizabeth, he waisted vast amounts of wealth. The gold and silver from the Americas proved in the end a curse. (Not unlike many modern oil producing countries.) Spanish manufacture suffered as it was easier to purchase rather than make products. In addition the religious persucution led by Holy Office of the Inquisition which expelled the Jews and during Philip's reign pursued conversos. It acted to supress thought as well. Thus Spain did not share in the European Renaisance which was in the 18th century to lead to the Industrial Revolution.

Philip III (1595-21)


Philip IV (1621-65)

Philip IV (1605 – 1665) had a long reign a king of Spain (1621-65). Philip suceeded his father, Philip III (1621). He was sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal (as Philip III,) until 1640. Philip was still a teenager when his father died. Spain was effectively governe by Philip’s valido (chief minister), the Conde-Duque de Olivares who largely controlled Spain for 22 years. Olivares was determined to reverse the decline of Spanish power and to smash Protesatantism. He saw the widening of the Thirty Years’ War as an opportunity for Spain. He wa particularly anxious to conquer the Dutch Republic. He ended the Twelve Years’ Truce of 1609 (1621). He acted in close alliance with the Austrian (imperial) branch of the Habsburg dynasty. Spanish armies won some notable victories. The seized Breda from the Dutch (1626). They defeated the Swedes and Weimarians at Nördlingen (1634). France which had been ascting covertlyagain the Hapsburgs intervenrd and formally declared war (1635). Spain early successes eded and military reverses followed. Catalonia and of Portugal rebelled (1640). Portugal achieved independent under John IV of the House of Bragança. As a result of the reverses, Philip finally dismissed Olivares (1643). He appointed Don Luis Méndez de Haro, who held his post until his death (166)1. Philip did not asppoint another valido. He came to rely on the advice nun María de Ágreda, who was a mystic. She wrote to Philip on both spiritual matters as well as affairs of state. At the end of his reign, the Spanish empire reached its maximum territorial reach. Spain had however, as a result of military reverses and economic and social distress declined to a second-class power. Philip’s first wife was Elizabeth ), the daughter of Henry IV of France. She fied (1644) and Philip married Maria Anna, daughter of the Holy Roman emperor Ferdinand III. Philip is most notable for his poetry and the "astonishing enthusiasm" with which he amassed art works. Philip was a friend and patron of Velázquez, pne of te most renowned Spanish artists. Many of whose Velázquez works portray Philip and his court. He was suceeded by his son Charles

Charles II (1665-1700)

Charles II was born in Madrid (1661). He was only a small child when his father Philip IV died. He proved to be the last Habsburg king of Spain

Spanish Power

The Hapsburg Spanish line began with the Emoeror Chrles V. The Hapsburg Empire was the superpower of the era, the most powerful state in Europe. The turning point of this powerful empire was the Spanish Armada and its defeat by a small English fleet. This did not mean, however, that Spain suddenly cesased to be an important power. Spain remained a major, if not dominnt, power in Europe for two more centuries. A major factor here was the huge quanity of gold and silver bullion ht flowedinto Europe from the America. Lrge quantities of silver was also shipped eat to China to finance Spnish purchases there. The Spanish piece of eight ominated intenstionl trade like the dollar today. The wealth was, howevr, used tpo purchase products, not to devlop the economy. This wealth hlped Spain to maintain its importance as a European power until the end of the 18th century. While Spain lost most of her European posessions as the power of her army and navy ebbed in the second half of the 17th century, her overseas empire remained largely untouched,

War of the Spanish Succession

The Spanish Hapsburg line ended in 1700 and led to the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). Under the Peace of Utrecht (1713) and the treaty of Rastatt (1714), Spain shifted from a Hapsburg to a French Bourbon possession. In conpensation, the Austrian branch of the family obtained Spain's Italian possessions (except for Sicily) and also the southern Netherlands.






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Created: January 8, 1998
Last updated: 5:24 AM 9/27/2015