Spanish Empire Timeline By bakerk18 Jan 21, 1500 Expulsion of Jews and Moors from Spain Jan 21, 1555 Charles V Agrees to Peace of Augsburg Jan 21, 1556 Charles Divides Empire Philip II inherits Spain, Spanish Netherlands, and colonies Jan 21, 1566 Dutch Revolt and hurt Catholic churches Jan 21, 1568 Duke of Alva executes 1500 protestants Jan 21, 1571 Philip II Responds to Popes Request for Troops Jan 21, 1579 Netherlands declares independence Jan 21, 1580 Philip II Seizes Portuguese Throne Jan 21, 1588 Philip II Launches Spanish Armada It was defeated by the English Jan 21, 1605 Miguel de Cervantes publishes Don Quixote