Los Austrias menores: el fin de la hegemonía hispánica (I): Felipe III y Felipe IV

Summary

In this video, we explore the reigns of Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II, the 'lesser Habsburgs' of 17th-century Spain. The video delves into the political instability and economic decline of the Spanish monarchy during their reigns, highlighting issues like corruption, demographic decline, and the expulsion of the Moriscos. It also covers key events such as peace treaties with England and France, the 'Union of Arms' project, and the independence of Portugal. Despite these challenges, the era also saw a flourishing of Spanish literature, with renowned figures like Quevedo and Lope de Vega.

Takeaways

• 😀 Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II are referred to as the 'lesser Habsburgs' due to their poor decision-making, which led to the decline of the Spanish monarchy in the 17th century.
• 😀 These three kings delegated their governing powers to 'valids,' aristocrats who ruled on their behalf due to the kings' lack of interest or capacity to manage the vast Spanish territories.
• 😀 The 17th century saw significant economic, demographic, and political crises in Spain, including state bankruptcies, plagues, and a declining population.
• 😀 The 17th century is also known as the 'Golden Age' of Spanish literature, with renowned writers like Quevedo, Gongora, and Lope de Vega flourishing despite the crisis.
• 😀 Philip III, the first of the 'lesser Habsburgs,' started his reign at 20, delegating most of his duties to the Duke of Lerma, who was both capable and corrupt.
• 😀 Under Philip III, the expulsion of the Moriscos was decreed in 1609, with 300,000 Moriscos leaving Castile and Aragon, causing major demographic and economic setbacks.
• 😀 Philip III sought peace in foreign relations, signing the Peace of London with England in 1604, a 12-year truce with the Spanish Netherlands in 1609, and peace with France in 1615 through royal marriages.
• 😀 Philip IV’s reign saw further delegation of power to the Count Duke of Olivares, who introduced reforms to combat corruption and supported commercial protectionism.
• 😀 Olivares’ most ambitious but problematic project was the 'Union of Arms,' which aimed to create a reserve army by requiring contributions from all the kingdoms, but it clashed with local laws and led to revolts.
• 😀 Revolts in 1640, such as in Aragon, Catalonia, and Portugal, were fueled by resentment over military contributions and led to the eventual independence of Portugal.
• 😀 The rebellion in Catalonia, partly driven by dissatisfaction with Castilian military presence, led to French intervention, but Catalonia remained part of the Spanish monarchy after 1652.

Q & A

What distinguishes the 'greater' Habsburgs from the 'lesser' Habsburgs?

The 'greater' Habsburgs, such as Charles V and Philip II, are considered to have built a flourishing, hegemonic, and brilliant empire, while the 'lesser' Habsburgs, like Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II, are seen as having made poor decisions that contributed to the decline of the empire.

Why did the Spanish monarchy, under the rule of the lesser Habsburgs, experience a decline during the 17th century?

The Spanish monarchy faced economic troubles, demographic decline, and a series of crises, including plagues and bankruptcies. Their previous world dominance waned, and they lost the hegemonic position they held during the 16th century.

What role did the 'valids' play during the reign of the lesser Habsburgs?

The 'valids' were aristocrats entrusted with the governance of Spain's extensive territories, as the kings themselves were either too young, inexperienced, or uninterested in ruling directly. These figures essentially ruled in place of the kings.

How did the expulsion of the Moriscos affect Spain's economy and population?

The expulsion of the Moriscos in 1609 led to the loss of around 300,000 people, who represented 4% of the working population. This had a significant economic impact, especially in agriculture, as many of the expelled were involved in farming and livestock, particularly in the Crown of Aragon.

What was the Peace of London, and why was it signed during Philip III's reign?

The Peace of London, signed in 1604, was an agreement between Spain and England that ended the war between the two nations, which had begun during Philip II's reign. Philip III sought to avoid further conflict and stabilize his kingdom.

What were the significant foreign policy actions taken by Philip III?

Philip III signed several peace agreements during his reign, including the Peace of London (1604) with England, the 12 Years' Truce (1609) with the Spanish Netherlands, and peace with France in 1615 through double marriages between the Spanish and French royal families.

What was the role of the Count Duke of Olivares during Philip IV's reign?

The Count Duke of Olivares was Philip IV's key advisor and one of the most powerful figures in the Spanish court. He sought to reform the government, reduce corruption, and implement protectionist economic policies. His most ambitious project was the 'Union of Arms,' which aimed to create a reserve army funded by contributions from Spain's various kingdoms.

What was the 'Union of Arms,' and why did it face resistance?

The 'Union of Arms' was a project by the Count Duke of Olivares to create a reserve army funded by the different kingdoms of the Spanish monarchy. The plan faced resistance, particularly from Aragon and Portugal, where local laws and autonomy were threatened by the imposition of external military demands.

How did the 1640 crisis affect the Spanish monarchy?

The 1640 crisis, which included widespread revolts and uprisings across Spain, marked the beginning of the decline of Spanish power. This included revolts in Aragon, Catalonia, and other regions, and also led to the independence of Portugal from Spain, further weakening the Spanish monarchy.

How did the crisis of 1640 impact Catalonia's relationship with Spain?

Catalonia experienced a rebellion during the 1640 crisis, as locals protested having to support Castilian armies. The rebellion led to France intervening and, despite some initial success, the Catalan territories remained under Spanish control after 1652, but the conflict was a precursor to greater tensions and calls for independence.