Wars of Religion: 1559-1648Spain’s Catholic Crusade

Philip II (1556-1598)

Like father, Charles V, fanatically sought to re-impose Catholicism in Europe

Escorial New royal palace Built as grill to

commemorate St. Lawrence Symbolized the power of

Philip as well as his commitment to his Catholic crusade

Battle of Lepanto (1517) War against the

Turks in Mediterranean

Spain defeated the Turkish navy off the coast of Greece

Reminiscent of the earlier Christian Crusades

Ended Ottoman threat in the Med

The Spanish Netherlands The pivot around which

European money, diplomacy, and war revolved

Exchange site of products from the Baltic and Italy Antwerp

Corruption in RCC and Lutheran tracts and Dutch translations of the Bible attracted many to Protestantism in 1520/1530’s Charles V was Flemish and

thus did little to stop reform Philip was Spanish

The Dutch Revolt William I (William of Orange)

(1533-1548) Led 17 provinces against the

Spanish Inquisition United Provinces of the

Netherlands 1581 (Dutch Republic) Aid from Elizabeth I Major blow to Philip’s goal of

maintaining Catholicism throughout his empire

10 Southern provinces remained under Spain’s control

Dutch closing the Scheldt River resulted in rise of Amsterdam

Spain vs. England

Queen Mary Tudor (Philip’s wife) tried to re-impose Catholicism in England “Elizabethan Settlement” reversed Mary’s actions

Elizabeth helped the Protestant Netherlands gain independence

Philip sought revenge for England’s support and to make England Catholic again Invasion of England 1588

The Spanish Armada 1588

Spain’s attempt to invade England ended in disaster

Spain’s navy lay in ruins

Signaled the rise of England a world naval power

Spain still powerful until mid-17th century