Lesson: Spain’s Empire and European Absolutism

Philip II-

• grandson of Isabella and Ferdinand, very rich

• nicknamed the Catholic King

• King of Spain who seized power in Portugal but was unable to invade England

• very famous for portraits

Absolute Monarch-

• idea that a ruler receives the right to rule from God

• took control of Portugal

• king or queen with complete control

• patron of arts

Cause: The gold and silver coming from its vast empire made made Spain incredibly wealthy.

Effect?

• permitted aristocrats and kings to support the arts at that time

• Spain experienced extremely high inflation.

• The Spanish economy shrank and collapsed.

• Seven provinces in the Spanish Netherlands started to voice their objections.

Cause: Inflation, no middle class, and expensive wars.

Effect?

• Spain suffered from severe inflation

• seven provinces located in the Dutch Netherlands began to protest

• the Dutch became very wealthy from trading and banking

• the Spanish economy declined and at times Spain went bankrupt

Cause: Philip raised taxes in the Netherlands and tried to crush Protestantism.

Effect?

• the Spanish economy declined and at times Spain went bankrupt

• the Dutch become wealthy from trade and banking

• European monarchs became increasingly powerful

• seven provinces located in the Spanish Netherlands began to protest

Diego Velásquez-

• painter; work reflected the religious faith of Spain during this period

• painter; work reflected the pride of the Spanish monarchy

• author; created Don Quixote de la Mancha, which helped to establish the European novel in the modern era.

El Greco-

• painter; work reflected the religious faith of Spain during this period

• painter; work reflected the pride of the Spanish monarchy

• writer; wrote Don Quixote de la Mancha, which ushered in the birth of the modern European novel

Cause: Feudalism declines, cities rose, middle class started, and national kingdoms grew.

• allowed nobles and monarchs to become patrons of the arts during the time

• seven provinces located in the Dutch Netherlands began to protest

• European monarchs became increasingly powerful

• the Spanish economy declined and at times Spain was bankrupt

Cause: Prices of goods constantly rose, unfair taxes prevented the poor from gaining any wealth, Spaniards bought more goods from other lands, and silver from other colonies flowed to Spain's enemies.

• allowed nobles and monarchs to become patrons of the arts

• Spain suffered from severe inflation

• the Spanish economy declined and at times Spain was bankrupt

• the Dutch became wealthy from trade and banking

Divine Right-

• king of queen with complete control

• idea that a ruler receives the right to rule from God

• supported writers

• secular