Aims Understand the success and failures of Charles I (V)To then evaluate the inheritance he left Philip II of Spain

Did he reform the government to meet his needs and improve its efficiency ?

How strong was the government left by Charles I?

No fixed capital

Charles was constantly on the

move

Conciliar system designed for an

absentee monarch

Cortes could prove an obstacle

Local administration

relied on nobles

New councils set up for new areas

of policy e.g. Council of war

Family members used as governors and viceroys

Secretaries grew in power

Kingdoms had own traditions, institutions of

government and laws.

Positives / ? / Negatives

How strong was the government left by Charles I?

No fixed capital

Charles was constantly on the

move

Conciliar system designed for an

absentee monarch

Cortes could prove an obstacle

Local administration

relied on nobles

New councils set up for new areas

of policy e.g. Council of warFamily members

used as governors and

viceroysSecretaries grew in power

Kingdoms had own traditions, institutions of

government and laws.

AssessmentWorkable – needs to be

reformed – some similarities to other 16th Century monarchs and

their issues

Religion - Growing threat of Protestantism More successful against Reformation

in Spain than across empire Censorship introduced in Spain –

license required for bringing in books Study restricted to Spain and a few

overseas colleges Use of inquisition Spain united under Catholicism –

debate over level of uniformity

Economy

Poor inheritance Lack of investment in new farming and

industrial techniques In comparison to Netherlands Spain behind Disruption caused by war to trade/population Some benefits from New World Bullion

Finance

Poor inheritance Main costs for war/royal household and short term

election as H R E Early as 1532 revenue outstripped by expenditure Each area needed to be self supporting, plus additions

towards empire. In reality Castile and Netherlands provided key finance Plus church and wealth from Americas However revenue did not meet demands of continuous

war therefore resorted to loans and bonds. Serious implications as Spain became gripped by debt to both Spanish and foreign bankers.

36 Million ducats in debt in 1556 Philip would declare bankruptcy for the first time in

1557

Law and order

Establish security and control as ruler Revolt of Comuneros 1920 defeated After 1520’s little opposition in Spain Subjects reconciled to his rule Charles respected laws and privileges Resentment by some of rewards to

Castilians Relied heavily on grandees and

corregidores to implement policies

Foreign Policy

2. Defend the empire from outside threats notably France and Turkish Empire

Almost continual war with France Turkish threat Defended - little growth – constantly

shifting of fortunes Costly Most money spend on dynastic rivalry

with France

Inheritance

Government‘Changed but notRevolutionised’

ReligionVirtually untainted in Spain

but not the empire

Economy and financeHigh inflation

‘mortgage the future of the sake of today’

Law and OrderStable Spain after problems of 1520’s

Foreign PolicyFear

ThreatsCost

Vulnerable

Still reliedHeavily on nobility

Managed to keep TurksAt by but no more

Fostering future issues

Constant War

How?At what cost?

Inherit a goodSystem?