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Spain and Europe 1556–98

The Spanish Empire and the aims of Philip II's foreign policy

  • 3 things to know
  • AS Unit 2

Overview

Spanish Road and central aim of Philip II's foreign policy.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

Give the case for saying dynastic interest mattered more than religion to Philip II.

Key term

Describe the extent of Philip II's possessions in Europe in 1556.

Key term

Why was Italy so important to Spanish power?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Describe the extent of Philip II's possessions in Europe in 1556.

    Model answer

    In Europe Philip II ruled Castile and Aragon, the seventeen provinces of the Netherlands, Franche-Comté, the duchy of Milan and the kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and Sardinia.

  2. 2

    Why was Italy so important to Spanish power?

    Model answer

    Italy supplied money, ships and soldiers, gave Spain command of the western Mediterranean, and Milan was the gateway to the land route north to the Netherlands.

  3. 3

    How were Spain's American possessions governed?

    Model answer

    Spanish America was ruled through the viceroyalties of New Spain and Peru, with audiencias for justice and the Council of the Indies in Spain supervising the whole.

  4. 4

    What did Spain acquire in the Pacific during Philip II's reign?

    Model answer

    Spanish expeditions occupied the Philippines, named after the king, and founded Manila in 1571 as the base for trade with China across the Pacific.

  5. 5

    What was the Spanish Road?

    Model answer

    The Spanish Road was the overland corridor from Milan through Savoy, Franche-Comté and Lorraine by which reinforcements marched to the army in the Netherlands.

  6. 6

    State the central aim of Philip II's foreign policy.

    Model answer

    Philip II's central aim was to preserve intact the inheritance entrusted to him and the reputación of the Spanish monarchy, ceding nothing that his father had held.

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