To What Extent Was the Abdication of Charles I of Spain a Turning Point in the History of Spain?

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Charles’ accession (1516) had a greater impact on Spain and its monarchy than his abdication. 'The union of Charles' predecessors was a personal union and not one based upon political and administrative unification,’[30] yet, Charles’ accession cemented this as a political union. From this point, Castile and Aragon could not be divided. However, Charles’ early reign was a turbulent one. As a Burgundian by birth with no knowledge of Spain, ‘Charles made a poor impression when he arrived.'[31]In comparison to the popular and successful Catholic Monarchs, ‘the new ruler of Spain was a stranger to the country.’ [32] Charles’ ignorance was highlighted by the fact that his entourage was comprised of self-promoting Flemish advisors. Charles ‘allowed Chievres to appoint his 17-year-old nephew to the late lamented Cisneros' post'. [33] Charles 'spoke no Spanish and was totally ignorant of Spain and Spanish affairs',[34] in fact his mismanagement sparked the Communeros and Germania Revolts, demonstrating widespread discontent in Charles’ early reign. However, Pendrill argues that the greatest issue was the fact that Charles ‘controlled a personal empire in which Spain was only a part’.[35]Spain was not his primary focus. The people would have preferred Ferdinand, ‘a Spaniard by upbringing’, [36]who had ‘no ties elsewhere’.[37] MacDonald corroborates this by saying: 'Spaniards naturally feared the consequences of having an absentee king and suspected that Spanish interests would be sacrificed to those of the Holy Roman Empire.'[38] However, Charles, upon his return from Germany in 1522, married Isabella of Portugal and ‘this marriage, and the birth of his son and heir in May 1527, pleased his Spanish subjects.’[39] Isabella acted as regent in Charles’ absence and gained popularity. She spoke Spanish, was an able politician and understood Spanish issues, unlike her husband. The marriage was another turning point as it ended Charles’ tumultuous early reign. Therefore, Charles’ accession was a greater turning point than his abdication in terms of the Spain’s unification and power of the monarchy. Charles symbolised the union of the crowns, without him the country could easily have divided; however, he lost the trust of the Cortes and the people before 1522, and this undermined the monarch’s power. The abdication, on the other hand, had little impact on Spain’s stability or unity as Philip had already been regent since he was sixteen.[pic 3]

Philip’s mother, Isabella, gave him an excellent claim to the Portuguese throne of which he took advantage by annexing Portugal in 1580. The Venetian Ambassador referred to it as 'the important Kingdom of Portugal’ [40] highlighting its political and military significance. 'Spain now had complete security within the Iberian Peninsula’,[41] now entirely united, and allowed Philip to focus on the west without the threat of Portugal. With Portugal, ‘the Spanish Empire now became a Westward-facing entity, with an Atlantic focus and Atlantic interests.’[42] This was mostly due to the newly acquired Atlantic Seaboard, the 300,000 tonne navy, new trade-routes and 'Lisbon provided an important deep water port on the Atlantic coast.'[43] As McKinnon-Bell says, 'the acquisition of Portugal was enormously significant for Spain. The addition of the Portuguese empire brought Philip substantial [Imperial] possessions.’ [44] Spain’s new security increased its aggressiveness, especially as it now had more interests to protect. In fact, treasure importation increased 70%, from 20,700,000 ducats in 1576-1580 to 35,200,000 in 1580-1585. This economic growth and easy annexation led Philip to believe that ‘Spain had been empowered by God’ [45]and ‘the results of this overconfidence were disastrous for Spain.’[46] Philip’s defensive policy is seen in his refusal to involve himself with the Holy League after Lepanto. However, the ultimate failure of the Armada shows Philip’s aggressive policy following Portugal’s acquisition. Therefore, in terms of foreign policy, economy and security, the acquisition of Portugal brought great change; in comparison, Charles’ abdication alienated Spain from Europe, but did not have such a lasting impact. 'Spain by 1580 was at the height of its imperial power.'[47]

Spain was internationally recognised after Lepanto; as Pendrill says, 'the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 gave Spain a claim to be the greatest power no just in Europe but also in the world.'[48] It was a massive victory in the eyes of Christendom. 'Even Elizabeth I, showing unusual Christian solidarity, sent a message of congratulations to the victors', [49] highlighting the significance of the victory. ‘The Turks concentrated their attention in the Balkans, and thus became the problem of Philip's Hapsburg cousins.' [50] The Ottomans, a long-standing issue, no longer posed such a threat to Spain. Therefore, in terms of military, Lepanto was a large turning point as it brought international prestige. Charles’ abdication turned Spain’s foreign policy from offensive to defensive, yet it was not as militarily or internationally significant as Lepanto.

In conclusion, Charles’ abdication can barely be considered a turning point, let alone a major one. Its largest and most lasting impact was the Empire’s division, as its centre became Spain. However, despite his Spanish birth, Philip was similar to his father. Yet, by the end of his rule, Charles’ origin was not an issue, meaning there was no great change. Perhaps the major turning point was the Conquest of Granada, which increased security by removing the Moorish threat. Moreover, it unified the Iberian Peninsula under Ferdinand and Isabella, who then brought religious unity and funded Columbus’ expedition. Overall, this had the greatest and most long-lasting impact; 'the completion of the conquest with the overthrow of the last Muslim Kingdom … ushered in a new age of cultural and religious imperialism.' [51][pic 4]

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Bibliography:

Secondary Sources:

Spain 1474-1598 Jocelyn Hunt

Spain: Rise and Decline 1474-1643 Jill Kilsby

Spain 1469-1714: A society of conflict Henry Kamen

Philip II David McKinnon-Bell

Spain 1474-1700 Colin Pendrill

Ferdinand