Main Idea: During at time of religious & economic
instability, Philip II ruled Spain with a strong hand.
I.
Spain
A.
Background
1.
Charles V spilt empire: Austria & Holy Roman
Empire—Ferdinand (brother); Spain, Sp. Netherlands & Amer. colonies—Philip
(son)
1.
Wealthiest & powerful nation
2.
Philip defends Catholicism
a
Sends Spanish Armada to England—defeated
3.
riches stimulate the arts & literature
a
El Greco: religious themes; distorted figures, expressed
emotion symbolically
b
Diego Velázquez: showed pride of monarchy
c
Miguel de Cervantes: Don Quixote de la Mancha
C.
Dutch
1.
Independence
a
Differences: Calvinist & persecuted; involved in trade;
had middle class
b
William of Orange: leader; political motives
2.
religious tolerance
3.
republic not kingdoms
4.
Economics: becomes center for European trade & banking
5.
Art: merchant sponsored
a
Rembrandt van Rijn: groups portraits; The Syndic;
contrasts of lights & shadows
b
Jan Vermeer: domestic, indoor settings
c
women: upper-class, well-educated but lack power
D.
Absolutism
1.
maintain monarchs power
2.
divine right
3.
Growth of power: centralization of state authority &
crises in Europe