Negative Effects of Philip Ii Reign in Spain

During the early and the late 15th century, Spain was at a high point. Spain was the central power in Europe during that time and Spain was united under his father and mother. Philip II reign began Spain's golden age. However, Philip II rule was not entirely beneficial to Spain. He injured Spain through heavy taxation and he caused the Netherlands to revolt impact on therefore he had a negative on Spain. Philip II was born in 1527 in Valladolid Spain. His father was Charles V and his mother was Isabella of Portugal(OI). Charles V ruled Spain during the early 15th and Philip II became ruler in the mid-1500s and he ruled until late 1500s to early 1600s(OI). Philip the II died on September 13th in 1598(OI).

Philip was 71 years old when he died(OI). Also, Philip, the II ruled for forty plus years. Philip the II reign and Charles V reign had drastically different ways that shaped Spain. “Philip the II succeeded his father as the sovereign of Spain, Sicily, MIlian, the Netherlands, France Carte Mexico, and Peru” ( Lincoln Library Press).” Although Philip’s region extended for over 40 years in many ways he never outlasted the enormous shadow of his father” (Lincoln Library Press).

Charles V had a better reign and left Spain in a much better place than Philip II. Charles V unparalleled successes in the New World, and kept Spain at the very pinnacle of world power, a position she did not relinquish for 100 years(World History in Context). Also, Philip’s II rule was not as good as his father's rule was because Philip tried to force policies on to his people, which Charles the V did not do(OI). Since Philip II tried forcing policies on The Netherlands, which made the Netherlands revolt and it allowed the Netherlands to gain their independence after a long war that took 82 years(OI). Philip the II ruined Spain’s economy and he made Spain lose their position in Europe as the world power also he had a negative role. Philip the II crushed Spain's spirit of liberty(Lincoln Library Press). He crushed the idea of freedom of speech, etc which made his rule negative because he is giving his people less freedom. Philip the II persecuted industrious moors(Lincoln Library Press).

Philip the II harassed people of a different race and color. The industrious moors are Latios, which was a different race and color than Philip the II(OI). Also, Philip, the II destroyed Spain's economy through heavy taxes(Lincoln Library Press) Since Philip the II raised taxes it made it harder for the people of Spain to pay and the less money they had so he pretty much made Spain bankrupt(OI). Philip the II had a really good army, but it leads Spain to go bankrupt and he spent a lot of money on his army and navy. Spain’s armada was a fleet of 130 ships. Spain’s armada lost to the British in a navy/marine battle when Spain tried to take over Britain. Spain’s infantry, however never lost a pitched battle for 150 years(Historic World Leaders).

Spain’s army had won every battle for 150 years straight which probably took a lot of money so this lead to heavy taxes which in return lead to Spain going bankrupt and losing their world power(OI). He concluded the fourth and last Habsburg-Valois War by decisively defeating the French at St. Quentin in 1557 and at Gravelines the following year(Historic World Leaders). The 1559 Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis firmly cemented Spanish hegemony ("dominance") in Italy--an issue that had occupied the two dynasties for over half of a century(Historic World Leaders). Philip the II had a negative impact on Spain and lead Spain to their downfall. He caused Spain to go bankrupt due to all the wars he was fighting and he made Spain go bankrupt through heavy taxes. Through all this Spain lost its power and it was no longer the greatest power in Europe.