History of Spain By knutsonc Jan 22, 1500 Spain expelled the Jews and Moors which caused it to lose many valuable artisans and business-people Period: Jan 21, 1550 to Jan 21, 1650 Lots of silver was unloaded from Spanish ships Jan 21, 1555 Unwillingly agreed to the Peace of Augsburg Charles V unwillingly agreed to the Peace of Augsburg. Jan 22, 1566 Angry Protestant mobs swept throught Catholic churches Jan 22, 1568 The duke executed 1,500 Protestants and suspected rebels Jan 22, 1571 Pope called on all Catholic princes to take up arms against the mounting power of the Ottoman Empire Jan 22, 1576 Jean Bodin defined absolute rule Jan 22, 1579 The seven northern provinces of the Netherlands united and declared their independence from Spain Jan 21, 1580 King of Portugal died without an heir Jan 22, 1588 Phiip launched the Spanish Armada in an attempt to punish Protestant England and its quee, Elizabeth I Jan 21, 1600 American mines had supplied Spain with lots of gold Jan 22, 1605 The Don Quixote de la Mancha was published Jan 22, 1636 The Duth had the largest fleet of ships in the world