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Spain emerges as the first modern European power. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand unified the country, enforced religious unity, and comanded Spanish conquest in the Americas.
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Charles I, now known as Charles V became king of Spain allowing him to not only rule Spanish but, also rule over the Spanish colonies in America.
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When Charles V's grandfather died in 1519, he became the inheritor of the extended Hapsburg empire. This empire included the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands. Having to rule two empires meant a constant warfare between other empires.
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It was referred to as the golden century for its brilliance of the arts and literature.
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Philip II married Mary Tudor to create an alliance with England until her death. He also married three other women to build more important alliances and gain more power, in some cases, territories.
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Since the Hapsburg empire was too scattered and tiredsome, Charles V gave up his titles because it was too hard to rule effectively. He gave the Hapsburg lands in Europe to his brother Ferdinand.
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Charles V gave his son Philip, Spain, the Netherlands, and southern Italian states. Philip II created his own uncoditional power, expanded spanish influence and, strengthened the Catholic Church. He reign as an absolute monarch
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The Ottoman Empire continued to pose threats to European control. In 1571, at the Battle of Lepanto, Spain and its Italian allies quickly defeated the Ottoman fleet off the coast of Greece.
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To end English attacks and subdue the Dutch, King Philip prepared a huge armada. The Spanish armada sailed with more than 130 ships and 20,000 men. Although, they were confident about a victory, their prediction did not come to pass. They were outmaneuvered by the faster, lighter ships of England, and strong winds at sea favored them as well.
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As Spain's power weakened, Dutch, French, and English fleets challenged Spain and ultimately surpassed their power in Europe and all around the world.
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El Greco was one of the famous painters of the Golden Age. He produced hunting, religious pictures and amazing portraits of Spanish novels. He influenced the work of Diego Velazquez, known for his vivid portraits of Spanish royalty.
There were also outstanding writers such as Lope de Vega, and Miguel de Cervantes, known for his novel Don Quixote. -
Throughout the 1600s, Spain's strength and prosperity decreased. The expensive overseas wars drained all the wealth Spain had leaving them with many economic problems.
