HIS244H1 Lecture : The Problem of the Spanish Decline (error in title of doc)
Document Summary
His 241: the problem of the spanish decline: imperialism dominated 16th century and 17th century with france as the hegemony until its decline at the treaty of westphalia. Background: the inheritance of charles v (1500-1558), the accidental hegemony , inherited from each of his four grandparents (austria, spain, hapsburg, north africa, italy, holy. He wanted to be a champion of catholicism and fight the good fight against the protestants. Legend, as alba was an icon for that: william of orange led a full-scale revolt. In 1581 the dutch protestant provinces declared independence away from catholic dutch spain. Spain to fight: the spanish armada is forced into the north sea in 1588, where the english were able to defeat the spaniards. This defeat was an icon of spain that demonstrated the troubles the country was enduring under philip ii. Spain was in trouble, spending more than it was bringing in.
