Spain's Empire

Name _____________________________ Class________________________ Date_____________
Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Lesson 1
Spain’s Empire and European

Absolutism
Key Terms and People
Philip II Spanish king who took control of Portugal but failed in his invasion of
England
absolute monarch king or queen with complete control
divine right idea that a ruler receives the right to rule from God
Before You Read

In the last lesson, you read about global trade resulting from the
colonization of the Americas.
In this lesson, you will learn about changes occurring in Europe in
the 1500s and 1600s.
As You Read
Use a chart to record causes and effects of events in Europe.
A POWERFUL SPANISH EMPIRE 1. Who was Philip II?

How did Spain’s power increase and
then decrease?
Charles V of Spain ruled the Holy
Roman Empire and other European
countries. In 1556, he left the throne and
split his holdings. His brother Ferdinand GOLDEN AGE OF SPANISH ART
received Austria and the Holy Roman AND LITERATURE
Empire. His son, Philip II, got Spain and How did works from the golden age of
its colonies. Spanish art and literature reflect the
Philip II then took control of Portugal values and attitudes of the period?
when the king of Portugal, his uncle, Spain’s great wealth allowed monarchs
died without an heir. Philip also got its and nobles to become patrons of artists.
global territories in Africa, India, and Two of the greatest artists of the 16th
the East Indies. When he tried to invade and 17th century were El Greco and
England in 1588, though, he failed. The Diego Velásquez. El Greco’s work
defeat made Spain weaker. However, reflected the religious faith of Spain
Spain still seemed strong because of the during this period. The paintings of
wealth—gold and silver—that flowed in Velásquez reflected the pride of the
from its colonies in the Americas. Spanish monarchy.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
241 Guided Reading Workbook

Name______________________________ Class________________________ Date_____________
Lesson 1, continued
In literature, Miguel de Cervantes THE INDEPENDENT DUTCH

wrote Don Quixote de la Mancha, which PROSPER
ushered in the birth of the modern Why did the Dutch prosper?
European novel. The novel tells the The United Provinces of the
story of a Spanish nobleman who reads Netherlands was different from other
too many books about heroic knights. European states of the time. It was a
2. Who were some of the artists and republic, not a kingdom. Each province
writers of Spain’s golden age? had a leader elected by the people.
The Dutch also practiced religious
tolerance, letting people worship as they
wished. Dutch merchants established a
trading empire. They had the largest
fleet of merchant ships in the world.
THE SPANISH EMPIRE WEAKENS They were also the most important
What weakened the Spanish Empire? bankers in Europe.
Spain’s new wealth led to some 4. Give two reasons for the success of
serious problems. The prices of goods the Dutch in trading.
constantly rose. Unfair taxes kept the
poor from building up any wealth of
their own. As prices rose, Spaniards
bought more goods from other lands.
To finance their wars, Spanish kings had
to borrow money from banks in foreign ABSOLUTISM IN EUROPE
countries. The silver from the colonies What is absolutism?
began to flow to Spain’s enemies. Though he lost his Dutch possessions,
In the middle of these troubles, Spain Philip II continued to hold tight control
lost land. Seven provinces of the over Spain. He wanted to control the
Spanish Netherlands rose in protest lives of his people. Philip and others
against high taxes and attempts to crush who ruled in the same way were called
Protestantism in the Netherlands. These absolute monarchs. They believed in
seven provinces were Protestant, holding all power. They also believed in
whereas Spain was strongly Catholic. In divine right. This is the idea that a ruler
1579, they declared their independence receives the right to rule from God.
from Spain and became the United Widespread unrest in Europe in the
Provinces of the Netherlands. The ten 17th century led to an increase in
southern provinces (present-day absolute rule, or absolutism, and its
Belgium) were Catholic and remained restrictions. Absolute rulers used their
under Spanish control. increased power to impose order. They
3. Why did Spain lose power? wanted to free themselves from the
limitations imposed by the nobility and
government bodies.
5. What did absolute monarchs believe?

Name______________________________ Class________________________ Date_____________
Lesson 1, continued
As you read about the Spanish empire, briefly note the causes or effects
(depending on which is missing) of each event or situation.
Causes Effects
1. The gold and silver coming from its
vast empire made Spain incredibly
wealthy.
2. Spain suffered from severe inflation.
3. The Spanish economy declined and at

times Spain was bankrupt.
4. Philip raised taxes in the Netherlands

and tried to crush Protestantism.
5. The Dutch became wealthy from trade

and banking.
6. European monarchs became increasingly

powerful.

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Name _________________ Class Date_

Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Spain’s Empire and European

Before You Read

A POWERFUL SPANISH EMPIRE 1. Who was Philip II?

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

241 Guided Reading Workbook

In literature, Miguel de Cervantes THE INDEPENDENT DUTCH

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

242 Guided Reading Workbook

2. Spain suffered from severe inflation.

3. The Spanish economy declined and at

4. Philip raised taxes in the Netherlands

5. The Dutch became wealthy from trade

6. European monarchs became increasingly

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

243 Guided Reading Workbook

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