2. • Spain and Portugal were leaders in
global exploration and the expansion
of trade routes.
• Spain indulged in a cultural golden
age in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Spain was able to finance its series of
wars in Europe and Africa by mining
for silver in Mexico and through the
importation of luxuries and grain.
• Some of the first modern idea on
natural law, sovereignty,
international law, war, and
economics began with Spanish
thinkers.
3. • Spain reached its status as a powerful world
empire under Charles l who became king in 1516.
• The Habsburgs rule brought the height of Spain’s
power as well as its decline.
• The Habsburg inheritance was broken into two
parts; One part to Spain and the other part to the
Holy Roman Empire.
• Although Spain was considered the leading
European power, it was flung into expensive wars
and suffered an economic crisis.
• 1596-1602: Spain suffered a great plague that
killed more than 1,250,000 people.
• During Philip lll’s reign, Spain lost the war in
central Europe, lost control of Portugal, and
essentially became a second-rank power.
4. • The Spanish Empire began to form during the
Age of Exploration and was considered one of
the first global empires.
• It included areas and colonies in Europe,
Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
• The Spanish exploratory voyage lead to the
discovery of America.
• America soon became a central part of Spanish
exploration and colonization.
• Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano
discovered a westward route to Asia, creating
access to the Spice Islands.
• It wasn’t until the end of the War of the
Spanish Succession that Pain’s European
possessions were given up.
• Spain did keep control of its large overseas
empire.
5. • Even though Castile and Aragon were merged
together, each territory adhered to its own
administration or juridical configuration.
• Spain established itself as it formed treaties and
placed colonies throughout the world.
• Spain’s desire to expand and colonize was rooted in
the hopes of spreading Catholicism throughout the
New World.
• Spain established itself as a military force which
brought its kings the reputation for invincibility.
• Spain sought to establish settlements in Italy, Africa,
America, and Asia.
• The Golden Age of Spain was controlled from Seville
6. • The struggles for Charles V for Italy were
overwhelming.
• The Italians and Germans were afraid he
would become even more powerful so Pope
Clement Vll joined alliance with France.
• This lead to the falling out between the
church and the secular section of the country.
• 1529: The Peace of Barcelona brought a
friendly relationship between the church and
the Charles V.
• Charles V became the King of Italy in return
for Spanish intervention in overthrowing the
rebellious Florentine Republic.
7. • Charles V inadvertently went to war with Germany with a mixed
Dutch-Spanish army.
• 1555: Charles V signed the Peace of Augsburg with the Protestants
and initiated a new stability in Germany using a position that was not
found favorable with Spanish and Italian clergymen.
• This action threw Spain into the role of protector of the Catholic,
Habsburg cause in the Holy Roman Empire.
• It ultimately lead to Spain entering the war that would surely end
Spain’s position as Europe’s leading power.
• European battles with Spain during Philip ll’s reign became
consuming. Portugal was trying to break free and Spain was
suffering financially.
• Philip lll was able to call a truce with England and France long
enough to rebuild the finances of Spain which led to the recovery of
Spain through the 18th century and Philip V’s reign.
