Absolute Monarchs in

EuropeSpanish Empire and Philip II

Essential Question and Learning Goals

Essential Question: How is society affected by

those in power?

Learning Goals:

1. Describe Philip II’s role in the Spanish Empire

2. Identify influential artists of Spain’s “Golden

Age”

3. Identify and describe the weakening of the

Spanish Empire

Philip II

Quick Facts:

Deeply religious

Powerful Portuguese empire

Africa

India

East Indies

Great wealth (mines)

Gold

Silver

Claimed 1/5th of every shipload of gold/silver

Escorial Palace

Philip II and Religion

Build and sustain military

50,000 soldiers

Defended Catholicism

Muslims (Ottoman Empire)

Protestants (Europe)

Spanish Armada:

Failed attack against England (Protestants)

130 Spanish ships

19,000 soldiers

Spanish Armada– Secondary Source

Analysis Activity

Pass out copy of document to students

The Glorious Spanish Empire (L. Ortiz Munoz)

Source: http://spartacus-educational.com/TUDarmada.htm

Number of students in 3’s

Group 1: Responsible for reading selection in Bold

Group 2: Responsible for reading selection in Italics

Group 3: Responsible for reading selection that is Underlined

Each student is responsible for answering the following questions:

Concise summary of selection

One question that you have about the selection

The tone of the selection

Golden Age (Art)

El Greco

“The Greek”

Expressed emotion

Distorted human figure

Catholic faith

Saints

Martyrs

Golden Age (Art)

Diego Velazquez

Scenes of the Royal family

Employed by Philip IV (Spain)

Pride of monarchy:

Royal family

Court life

Primary Source Analysis Activity

On the next slide, you will see two paintings

1. Describe characteristics of each painting

2. What stands out to you about each painting?

3. What questions do you have about each

painting?

4. Which Golden Age artist do you think created

each painting?

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/e/el_greco/el_greco_pieta.jpg

http://heindorffhus.motivsamler.dk/arthistory/velazquez-LasMeninas-ptg-small.jpg

Downfall of Spanish Empire

Economic Issues

More money Price of goods increase

Inflation (2 problems):

1. Population growing Increased demand

Prices increase

2. More silver Decreased value

Downfall of Spanish Empire

Economic Issues (cont.)

Taxation

Nobles (upper-class) didn’t pay taxes

Lower classes taxed:

Can’t increase social standing

Prohibits middle class from emerging

Downfall of Spanish Empire

Funding Enemies

Bought goods from:

England

Netherlands

France

Paying for wars, loans from:

Germany

Italy

Forced to declare bankruptcy (x3)

Downfall of Spanish Empire

Dutch (Netherlands) Revolt

Spain’s slowing economy vs. Netherlands prosperous

economy

Raise taxes

Religious differences (Catholics vs. Protestants)

Fight Spain for 11 years, result:

Northern provinces Declare independence

Southern provinces Still under Spanish control

Dutch East India Company (trading company)

Summarizer

Video Clip: “The Spanish Empire, Silver, & Runaway

Inflation”

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjhIzemLdos

3, 2, 1 Exercise:

3 things that you learned from the video

2 things that you would like to learn/know more about

1 question that you have after watching the video